More than 500 Zimbabweans who had taken refugee at Methodist Church in Johannesburg have been recently attacked, harassed and arrested by South African police.
Bishop Paul Verryn of the Methodist Church had shown great compassion by accommodating more than 600 Zimbabweans at the Church premises. These refugees had fled severe political and religious persecutions in Zimbabwe.
The Methodist Church is the only Church l know in Johannesburg which had given the homeless home, the hopeless hope, and the helpless help. Hundreds of persecuted, starved, oppressed and exiled Zimbabweans were welcomed at Methodist Church.
The ruling ANC government of President Thabo Mbeki which supports Mugabe's dictatorship in Zimbabwe is very aware of the good work the Methodist Church is doing. Even the former president Nelson Mandela was used to visit this Methodist Church of Bishop Paul Verryn.
It is shameful that the ANC send the police to raid and damage property of the Church of Jesus Christ. The Church helping immigrants who had fled f state-made starvation and persecution.
The Cape Augus quoted, Judge Roland Surtherland as having ordered the release of nine Zimbabwe refugees’ applicants and ordered an investigation into the magistrate's conduct after an urgent application was brought by Legal Resources center against justice authorities.
Judge Sutherland said former president Mandela had told the nation that South Africa would never again have to deal with the obscenities of the apartheid regime. It was then ironic to witness in Courts such treatment of people a decade later. Sutherland apologized to each applicant for the manner in which they were treated.
When the refugees sought bail their bail hearing was postponed three times in Johannesburg Magistrate Court. The attitude of the Magistrate was so bad towards Zimbabwean refugees. Advocate Gilbert Marcus SC asked for the matter to be referred to magistrate Commission. In its submission the advocate said, “Unjustifiable delay imposed by magistrate Du Pisari, constituted punishment without law.”
They is no justice in South Africa. The ANC has failed dismally to administer justice to cushion the poor.
South Africa is said to be a human rights country but its weakest members are abused by authorities. Refugees in South Africa face great hardship and many uncertainties. Many Police and Home Affairs officials are corrupt and abusive to refugees.
To read more about Zimbabwean refugees go to zimjustice.blogspot.com, http://forjustice.atspace.org
Pray for God's justice to take place in Zimbabwe. Ask God to give understanding to SA ANC leaders so that human rights abuses can halt. Give practical support to those standing up for rights of oppressed Zimbabweans.
Contact us with your views and comments. Together we shall make a difference in Africa.
Collen Makumbirofa
Foundation of Reason & Justice
Fax +27 86 6502 828
zimnews@mail.com
http://forjustice.atspace.org
www.zimjustice.blogspot.com
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