Tsvangirai criticised over 'God chosen remark'

Cape Town – Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has been criticised after telling a religious audience that he and President Robert Mugabe were chosen by God to lead the nation and that people should pray for them.

Tsvangirai told a prayer meeting on Saturday in Chitungwiza, a Harare satellite town, that Zimbabweans should pray for their leaders even if they do not like them or subscribed to the same political party.

"I am blessed to be chosen among the multitude to lead the country ... Whether you like me or not, you should remember that I was chosen, even President Mugabe was selected by God," Tsvangirai was quoted as saying.

Critics, however, equated Tsvangirai's statement to those often issued by Mugabe's proxies that he was anointed by God.

Others said Tsvangirai was behaving like some of Africa's most notorious dictators who considered themselves anointed and reminded their people to pray for them.

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