Whatever direction the finger of state suspicion points in Zimbabwe, the heavy hand of repression follows soon afterwards.
Each day brings new evidence of the iron-fist brutality and intimidation that is stalking the country in the aftermath of the presidential election.
Take this chilling message sent to Tearfund about people who have been shot and tortured:
`The eight victims had not received medication by yesterday. They were hiding, fearing further torture. We have them now at a private house. Bullets still in. I have seen enough pain. I don’t mind death now. I will fight this system to the end.’
Sanctuary
There are fears such reports may get worse after the presidential election result was declared in favour of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
As he didn't win a big enough share of the vote, a run-off poll with Robert Mugabe is now on the cards, with all the risks of further intimidation.
The church, which is opening its doors to offer sanctuary to those being persecuted, has not been immune from the pain so far.
`Desperate and dangerous’ is how one church leader in Manicaland describes the situation, reporting continuing violence, with victims `pouring’ into the regional opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) headquarters.
He describes going to a workshop attended by NGOs and coming under unwelcome attention from the security services.
Phone call threats ensued and eventually he was arrested on suspicion of encouraging members of the opposition to revolt.
He ended up being interrogated and it was only when he showed the security officers his workshop presentation that his innocence was accepted and he was finally released.
Suspicion
`These are the conditions we are now living in – fear, suspicion and uncertainty of whether we will ride out the storm,’ he said.
Yet he takes heart in the encouragement of fellow Christians and the church through which Tearfund works in Zimbabwe.
Internationally pressure is continuing to be exerted on Robert Mugabe’s regime, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, calling for tolerance and respect in Zimbabwe.
Ms Arbour says there is an emerging pattern of political violence against supporters of the opposition MDC:
`If tolerance and respect for human rights continue their steep decline, the consequences will be grave for all Zimbabweans, and lead to further problems for neighbouring states,’ she said.
- Please pray for the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe, that they may continue to show resilience and determination to seek justice in the face of a repressive regime.
- Pray that the church continues to act with courage and that it can help those who require shelter from persecution.