Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, has warned that Zimbabwe’s constitutional guarantee of religious freedom does not extend to criminal acts committed under the guise of faith, stressing that perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.
Adv Mudenda made the remarks while delivering a keynote address at the Religious Liberty Festival organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Association (PARL) in Victoria Falls on Saturday.
While acknowledging the strong constitutional protections for freedom of worship and belief, the Speaker drew a clear distinction between legitimate religious practice and unlawful conduct.
He cited the recent high-profile case of self-styled prophet Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa, who was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for rape and child abuse, as a reminder that the law applies to everyone.
“Constitutional protection does not shield criminality cloaked in religious garb. What the Constitution prohibits is not reasonable and proportionate regulation in pursuit of legitimate State interests, but the deliberate weaponisation of regulatory power for religious discrimination or systematic suppression,” said Adv Mudenda.
He explained that Section 86 of the Constitution allows for the limitation of certain rights, including religious freedom, where it is necessary to protect public safety, public health or the rights and freedoms of others.
Adv Mudenda reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to religious pluralism, citing the constitutional preamble which acknowledges the supremacy of Almighty God, as well as Sections 58 and 60 which guarantee freedoms of association, worship and belief.
“These rights include the freedom to worship, to propagate one’s faith and to determine the religious upbringing of one’s children,” he said.
However, he emphasised that such freedoms come with corresponding responsibilities.
“The State may legitimately and lawfully restrict religious practices that cause demonstrable harm to others, violate criminal law or undermine compelling governmental public interests,” said Adv Mudenda.
He also called for greater recognition and documentation of African Traditional Religion, arguing that it has long suffered from what he termed “academic apartheid”.
In addition, Adv Mudenda urged religious leaders and Parliament to institutionalise interfaith dialogue as a way of sustaining national harmony and peaceful coexistence.
The well-attended festival, held under the theme “Celebrating Religious Liberty and Peaceful Inter-Faith Co-existence,” featured workshops, prayers for peace and performances by various denominational groups.
The event underscored the role of faith in fostering unity, while reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law.
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