The Government has expressed its appreciation for the Church’s role in nation-building, including its criticism of certain policies.
However, it has found it difficult to accept the latest pastoral letter from the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), which revisits issues that the Government believes are already settled, such as the debate over the Presidential term extension, and ongoing concerns like excessive taxation.
The bishops’ recent letter addressed a variety of topics, including the Presidential term extension, taxation, the death penalty, and the country’s debt situation. In response, Presidential Spokesperson Mr. George Charamba, also the Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President, acknowledged the Church’s engagement with national issues but expressed concern over what he perceived as selective conclusions and generalizations made by the bishops.
Mr. Charamba pointed out that the discussion about extending the Presidential term was a matter that had been definitively resolved. He referenced the President’s clear statement, made during a meeting with editors a couple of weeks ago, where he confirmed that he had no intention of seeking a term extension beyond what is constitutionally allowed. He found it surprising that the bishops chose to revisit an issue that had already been closed, especially since the President himself had rejected the proposal.
While individuals or political parties might discuss constitutional changes, Mr. Charamba emphasized that without the President’s agreement to extend his term, the debate holds no real executive weight. He questioned why the bishops continued to focus on this issue when the President had made his stance clear.
Additionally, Mr. Charamba addressed the bishops’ concerns over taxation, which the Government is actively working to resolve. He expressed confusion over why the bishops continued to highlight the issue of over-taxation, especially after the President’s statement at the beginning of the 2025 Cabinet Year, which outlined the Government’s efforts to address the matter. He suggested that instead of reiterating concerns about taxes, it would be more beneficial for the bishops to bring a message of hope, emphasizing the Government’s ongoing work to ease the tax burden on citizens.
Mr. Charamba further explained that tax reforms cannot be implemented overnight, as they have significant implications for the broader economy. The Government is carefully and strategically working on these reforms to ensure that essential public services and social investments remain adequately funded. He urged the bishops to be patient with the Government’s approach, as the ultimate goal is to lighten the tax burden for the population, an objective the Government and the Church share.
Finally, he noted that institutional reforms were also part of the Government’s ongoing work, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement across all sectors to ensure they serve the common good.
For comments, Feedback and Opinions do get in touch with our editor on WhatsApp: +44 7949 297606.