Tearfund partners in beleaguered Zimbabwe are being affected by the widespread torture and violence in the aftermath of the country’s disputed presidential election vote.
Among the incidents reported are:
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a volunteer being forced into hiding after having his house burnt down
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the children of another volunteer being tortured
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pro-Mugabe militias carrying out beatings and rapes
And in a further sign of the hostile times in Zimbabwe, a pastor in Bulawayo reports that police banned a public prayer meeting on the pretext that it was subversive.
Zimbabwean police stopped a public prayer meeting on the grounds that it was subversive. Picture: courtesy www.alertnet.org
The police told organisers, `Your prayer meetings have been turned into a platform for uttering subversive statements meant to promote violence or public disobedience.’
However churches are determined to continue speaking out and informing people about the post-election situation.
Nick Burn, Tearfund’s Desk Officer for Zimbabwe, said, `The prayer meeting was moved to the cathedral in Bulawayo where permission is not required.
`The leaders have said the church will not be cowed into silence by threats and meetings will continue every Wednesday lunch time.’
It is within this increasingly difficult climate that Tearfund is working with church-linked partners in Zimbabwe to deliver aid and development programmes.
Brutality
Incidents of brutality and repression show no sign of abating, reflecting the continuing turmoil in the political landscape.
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, has agreed to take part in a second round run-off poll against President Robert Mugabe but only if observers are allowed into the country.
Mr Tsvangirai won the election presidential election at the end of March but the Zimbabwe electoral authorities say he failed to gain enough votes for an outright victory.
With no date yet set for a run-off vote, intimidation of MDC supporters continues daily.
The UN says there is `reliable’ evidence that security forces, paramilitary groups, and gangs have attacked the homes of MDC supporters.
Zimbabwe police arrest Movement for Democratic Change supporters in Harare. Picture: courtesy of www.alertnet.org
It reports at least 350 people have been hospitalised, nearly 300 homes destroyed through politically-motivated arson, 15 women abducted and several murders.
But there are also reports of violent retaliation against supporters of the ruling party, Zanu-PF, prompting fears that President Mugabe might use this as a pretext for more draconian action.