STATEMENT ON ZIMBABWE AND ZIMBABWEAN REFUGEES

At a leader’s meeting of the Southern African Methodist Church this week in Kempton Park, Bishops called on President Mbeki to re-visit and revise the Government’s present policy on refugees from Zimbabwe, called for their humane treatment; and, warned of potential genocide in that country.

For quite some time now The Methodist Church of Southern Africa has kept a respectful silence on issues relating to Zimbabwe. We have taken seriously President Mbeki’s policy of silent, but strategic, diplomacy. We have also wanted to respect the difficult and often compromised situations of our partners in the church there. Furthermore, we have taken the contribution that Mr Mugabe has made to his country and more significantly to Africa, as of indelible value in freeing this continent from colonial oppression and economic servitude.

However, to remain silent any longer would be scandalous and could all too easily be interpreted as indifference to a most profound suffering. First hand evidence of the most appalling torture meted out on suspected and actual MDC supporters, calls for the outright condemnation of both perpetrators and those upon whose shoulders they stand. The extent of the physical and psychological damage sustained will leave victims scarred for life. We condemn particularly, the invasion of young men, who have had their genitals disfigured and mutilated. Some of these accounts emanate from areas that have been subject to the recent ‘clean up’ campaign, which has had other dimensions of expression.

The action by the police and army who have systematically gone through the cities and towns, arresting street vendors, confiscating their goods and destroying the homes of poor people, must be seen in the context of the fastest shrinking economy in the world which is characterized by 80% unemployment and rampant inflation. The land invasions begun in 2000, to secure the State’s grip on power, have dealt a near deathblow to the economy. The dual exchange rate policy, designed to protect the ruling elite’s standard of living (by giving the elite ready access to cheap foreign currency), has devastated the productive sector. The low interest rate policy, designed to lessen the State’s debt, has all but destroyed the pensions of many ordinary people. The excessive spending on protecting those in power and maintaining the elite’s luxurious lifestyle, has resulted in greatly reduced spending on health, housing and education.

The more recent demolition of the homes of 1.5 million people and the cynical justification for this strategy is comparable only to the devastation caused by the similar policy of forced removals in South Africa. The policy received the world’s outrage and rejection. These actions were regarded as a violation of human rights and so should the present occurrences in Zimbabwe be regarded as an invasion of everything that gives dignity to humanity as a whole. What has happened is that the poor are equated with criminals to justify a far more pernicious crime against humanity. It will be difficult to imagine how a country that can hardly pay for fuel, is going to rebuild homes for its completely dispossessed. What is particularly sinister and callous about this situation, is that it takes place at the beginning of winter, when the already most vulnerable poor AIDS sufferers have little or no access to medication and warmth. There is little doubt that we are witnessing a tragedy of unprecedented enormity. We have on our hands a complete recipe for genocide.

We, therefore, urge all South Africans to appraise themselves of the pain of our neighbours, many of whom housed and educated those who hold office in this country at present. We would urge the Christian community to open its doors and hearts to the millions of refugees from Zimbabwe at present in Southern African countries. We would urge Church leaders to address publicly and often the scourge of xenophobia.

Furthermore, we understand that this is a moment of unique opportunity for the faith community. We would encourage the establishment of centres of counselling and further learning and skills training for refugees so that the time they will spend in this context will be beneficial and also prepare them for that day when they may return home enriched, because of their experience amongst us. Quite unawares, we may well be responsible for the empowering of the future leaders of Zimbabwe.

We call on the State President of the RSA to revisit and revise present policy regarding refugees and asylum seekers from Zimbabwe in South Africa.

We would demand proper protection for refugees, particularly at bus terminals, railway stations and Home Affairs Offices in South Africa. This is necessary because when refugees first arrive in South Africa, they are often robbed of their possessions, by those who use their vulnerability to their selfish advantage.

We would urge the Department of Home Affairs in the RSA to investigate with integrity the considerable number of allegations of corruption in all their offices, relating to refugees. We would also urge that the entire administration relating to the consideration of applications for status be revised so as to ensure competence and efficiency. At present we allege that the experience of refugees at the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa is both disgraceful and traumatising.

Furthermore it is imperative that a budget be set aside, in the National Budget in South Africa, for the ministry to refugees. We can no longer be a signatory to the World Human Rights Conventions and to Conventions relating to the treatment of refugees AND simply grant access to this complex country, with absolutely no support. A far more comprehensive system of welfare must be designed to give integrity to our lofty principles.

Finally, we would urge the International Community to expose the tragedy of Zimbabwe as vigorously as they expose the fiasco of the Middle East and the war on Iraq. As Church we commit ourselves to network rigorously with all international partners in devising whatever strategies will render healing to this situation.

We call on the AU and SADC to abandon the policy of silent diplomacy, because to date it has simply not borne satisfactory results. We would ask that these bodies censure Dr Mugabe in the strongest way and call for an immediate halt to all torture and the demolition of homes and livelihoods. We would also suggest that an intervention from heads of State be convened to investigate forms of censure that may be brought to bear in the situation in an attempt to reverse this present hopelessness.

July 2 2005

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