Choruses of praise-singing and idolising saw President Robert Mugabe being likened to Jesus Christ by ZANU PF Senator Tapera Machingaifa in parliament.

Speaking during the National Assembly and Senate sittings which began on Thursday, Machingaifa showered praises on Mugabe saying he shares the same rank of work as Jesus.

ZANU PF officials are on record referring Mugabe’s heir apparent Mnangagwa to Jesus Christ, saying he is the “Son of Man.”
Machingaifa went into overdrive pouring on Mugabe colourful adjectives and likening him to “the Son Of God.” “Our Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins; today the President is suffering on our behalf, and I have not erred on that regard,” Machingaifa said when challenged on his deliberation.
Several other Zanu PF officials have in the past used the Messianic analogy on both Mugabe and Mnangagwa.
While congratulating the 92-year-old leader on his “successful completion of concurrent terms as African Union and SADC chairpersons,” Machingaifa said, “the President is a brave leader whom I liken to Jesus Christ; he is carrying the cross just like our Lord Jesus did when he died on the cross for our sins,” he said before being challenged by MDC-T Masvingo Senator Misheck Marava.
“… I think that amounts to blasphemy. While we respect our President we must not put him to temptation,” said Marava.
 
Machingaifa however continued, “our Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins; today the President is suffering on our behalf, and I have not erred on that regard,” he said.
 
“Six months after getting into Parliament, we now spot big bellies; how many years has he (Mugabe) led this country yet he has not heard the opportunity to grow his belly because he will be busy leading this country.”
 
MDC legislator Theresa Makone then interjected saying Mugabe was a Catholic who would find Machingaifa’s words offensive.
 
“I want to tell you now that in our faith of the Holy Catholic Faith, Robert Gabriel Mugabe will never dream one day of being or likened to someone nearly similar or half similar to our Lord Jesus Christ….We will not accept, as Roman Catholics and the President himself will not accept to be likened to our Lord Jesus Christ,” said Makone.
Meanwhile parliament is now in its two-week Easter Recess and All Portfolio Committee and Thematic Committee business have been suspended. Committee meetings will resume on Monday 5th April. The National Assembly and the Senate will resume sitting on Tuesday 5th April.