Church lobbies SA on Zim asylum seekers

Church lobbies SA on Zim asylum seekers

ARCHBISHOP Pius Ncube

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By Agencies
07/03/04
THE Zimbabwean Church is to lobby the South African government to improve the plight of Zimbabweans who have sought asylum in that country.

It will also - in conjunction with its South African counterparts - push for talks between Zanu(PF) and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

We revealed recently that despite over two million Zimbabweans fleeing to South Africa, only 11 have been granted asylum.

However, while the cleric seeks peace, the situation in the country remains oppressive. Six MDC members were injured when their convoy was attacked on the way to a campaign rally in Zengeza, east of Harare. The attack was allegedly carried out by Zanu(PF) militia. In addition, three members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise are incarcerated in a Bulawayo jail.

Quiet diplomacy

At a special service for Zimbabwe today, Pius Ncube, the Zimbabwean archbishop, lashed out at Robert Mugabe's government and South Africa's quiet diplomacy towards the country.

"I will not excuse the government, they are not going to get my sympathy, they have gone around killing people, raping the young," Ncube said.

Churchgoers also heard from Zimbabweans who claim to have suffered at the hands of Zanu (PF). Even those who defend human rights spoke of detention and brutality. Gabriel Shumba, a human rights lawyer, said: "They tied it to my genitals, some to my toes and in my mouth - I was asked to clamp down on it."

The animosity between the ruling Zanu(PF) and the MDC is expected to increase ahead of next year's elections. "Next year you can be sure the parliamentary election will be rigged," Ncube said.

At the same time - with Zimbabwean authorities saying no to talks with the opposition - the situation in Zimbabwe is not likely to change soon. A reason why the church plans to talk government into giving refugee status to all Zimbabweans in this country. It also wants NGOs to form one body that will cater to the needs of Zimbabweans abroad.
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