Zimbabwe's President Promises Heaven for Party Voters

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa urged his supporters to deliver a "thunderous victory" in the upcoming national election, promising that those who vote for his ruling ZANU-PF party will go to heaven. Mnangagwa also warned against violence in the election buildup, following the recent killing of an opposition party supporter. However, international rights groups have criticized Mnangagwa's administration for cracking down on opposition and stifling challenges to their rule. Zimbabwe has a history of violent elections, and while Mnangagwa called for peaceful actions, he blamed the country's insecurity on "negative forces" outside. Mnangagwa, who came to power in a coup in 2017, replaced former President Robert Mugabe and has faced allegations of election manipulation from opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.