Mtata Slams Benny Hinn’s Zimbabwe Crusade, Calling It a Blow to Civic Accountability
Reverend Kenneth Mtata issued a strong rebuke of American televangelist Benny Hinn’s recent visit to Zimbabwe, warning that such crusades undermine Africa’s civic and spiritual development.
Mtata, the former General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), accused Hinn of promoting a form of Christianity that reframes political issues like corruption and poverty as spiritual problems—diverting citizens from demanding accountability and engaging in democratic processes.
Hinn returned to Zimbabwe after more than four decades to lead a three-day National Healing Crusade at The Miracle Grounds in Ashdown Park, Harare.
The event began shortly after he landed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Friday, October 10, 2025, and included a meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House.
During the meeting, Hinn’s delegation praised Mnangagwa’s development efforts and suggested Zimbabwe’s progress could serve as a model for other nations.
In a statement posted on X, Mtata wrote:
“American televangelist Benny Hinn was recently in Zimbabwe, following a visit to Uganda. This was not his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa and those familiar with Paul Gifford’s research will know that such visits are not just about religion.”
He argued that Hinn’s influence reflected a broader pattern identified by Gifford, in which far-right American televangelists brought to Africa a form of Christianity that stifled progress.
Mtata outlined seven specific ways this influence manifested.
He said corruption, poverty, and bad governance were reframed as spiritual rather than political problems, distracting citizens from demanding accountability.
“Instead of building institutions or demanding accountability, followers were urged to attend mass prayer rallies in the hope for ‘miraculous solutions,’” he noted.
He added that faith became centered on personal success and deliverance, rather than collective transformation or justice.
He further criticized the way religious and political power were presented as divinely ordained, discouraging scrutiny and fostering passive submission.
“Questioning or doubt was framed as sin, eroding the intellectual freedom necessary for civic engagement,” Mtata said.
He also accused Hinn of seeking proximity to political leaders to trade legitimacy for patronage, stating:
“Wherever he goes, Benny Hinn is most interested in close proximity to political power. This allows him to trade legitimacy for patronage, blurring the line between faith and politics.”
Mtata concluded by warning that Hinn’s presence represented a form of American cultural and political imperialism.
“He exports American religious product but also opens up intelligence doors normally not easy to open,” he said.
Mtata’s critique, reported by Pindula, stirred public discussion and drew attention from religious and civic circles across Zimbabwe.
As Hinn’s crusade drew thousands, Mtata’s remarks added a layer of scrutiny to the intersection of faith, power, and accountability in Zimbabwe.
