There is something deeply wrong with twisting the word of God for bootlicking.
Self-styled ‘Apostle’ Rodney Chipoyera took to his pulpit to declare that publicly correcting or speaking against President Emmerson Mnangagwa is “demonic.”
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He did not merely offer a flawed theological opinion; he launched a direct assault on the fundamental tenets of constitutional democracy. By framing the head of state as the unassailable “National Father of Zimbabwe,” Chipoyera conflated ancient feudal patriarchs with modern constitutional public servants.
In doing so, he weaponized religion to shield political authority from public scrutiny, reducing citizens from rights-bearing sovereign individuals to obedient, silent dependents. This perversion of both civic logic and sound theology demands an immediate, uncompromising refutation. A republic is, by definition, the public affair of its citizens. The word itself stems from the Latin res publica—a matter belonging to the people.
Within a constitutional framework, the President is not a monarch, a chieftain, or a divine patriarch ruling by hereditary entitlement. The President is an elected temporary administrator of the state, bound by an oath of office to uphold the supreme law of the land and answerable to the electorate who entrusted them with temporary power. To label public correction of such an official as “demonic” is to strip citizens of their constitutional right to freedom of expression and accountability.
It replaces constitutionalism with sycophancy and substitutes civic duty with blind submission. Furthermore, equating political leaders with infallible fathers dangerously twists both scripture and history. Biblical history itself is rich with prophets who confronted rulers when justice was subverted. Prophet Nathan publicly rebuked King David for his transgressions, and Elijah confronted King Ahab over oppression and tyranny.
True spiritual stewardship has historically stood with the marginalized, demanding justice and holding power to account, rather than providing divine cover for political authority. When clergy transform their pulpits into platforms of uncritical political defense—especially amidst widespread public economic hardship—they trade their moral compass for access, influence, or material favor. To refer to any sitting leader as the “Father of the Nation” misconstrues the very nature of democratic governance. National respect is not forged through forced adulation or mandated silence, nor can it be bestowed by clerical decree.
Elevating a sitting political executive to the status of an unassailable “father” fundamentally misconstrues the nature of democratic governance. A republic does not belong to a patriarch; it belongs to its citizens. Attempting to weaponize spiritual authority to enforce blind obedience degrades the office of the presidency and weaponizes faith against the public. It deeply insults the intelligence of citizens who are merely demanding accountability from those elected to serve them. Democracy thrives on critique, debate, and vigorous public engagement.
A healthy republic does not treat dissent as treason or public correction as demonic rebellion. On the contrary, citizen oversight is the lifeblood of good governance. When a government makes policy mistakes, when economic missteps burden millions, or when state institutions fail to protect the vulnerable, it is the civic and moral obligation of every citizen—including the clergy—to speak out. Silence in the face of misrule is not a spiritual virtue; it is civic negligence. Clergy who desire to engage with political power must decide whether they serve the eternal principles of truth, justice, and compassion, or the temporal interests of the ruling class. Using religious fear to insulate politicians from public accountability undermines the moral authority of the church itself.
When faith becomes a tool to suppress citizen voices, it forfeits its role as the conscience of the nation. Zimbabweans are citizens of a sovereign constitutional republic, not subjects in an absolute monarchy. No pulpit-derived decree can strip them of their right to demand accountability from those who govern. The destiny of Zimbabwe will not be secured by spiritualizing political power or sanctifying those who hold public office.
A nation prospers when its governance is subjected to rigorous public debate, transparent accountability, and the rule of law. Presidents are elected public servants hired to perform a duty, and citizens possess the inviolable right to question, critique, and correct their service whenever necessary. A president is an accountable public servant, not an unquestionable national father.
Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to contact him on +263715667700 or mbofana.tendairuben73@gmail.com
Source: ‘Apostle’ Chipoyera: the president of a republic is not its father, but a servant of the nation
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