“Although I cannot give the exact numbers, to say I am alarmed by the surge of Zimbabweans to our church would be an understatement,” Central Johannesburg Methodist Church Bishop, Paul Verryn said. “Perhaps more alarming is the increasing number of orphans most of whom are aged between 11 and 17 on our doorstep.”
Zimbabweans evading political persecution at home are not being granted the necessary asylum documentation in SA. This has led to their detention and deportation back to Zimbabwe.
“The Home Affairs Department, like the Zimbabwean regime, is guilty of murder because of its haphazard, abysmal and irresponsible manner in which they have dealt with this situation,” Verryn said.
“As a churchman, I advocate a non-violent engagement among the parties as the only sustainable solution to the problems that the country is facing. I would also advocate the imposition of an arms embargo against Zimbabwe as well as the commencement of convincing dialogue among the parties,” he said. – CAJ News
Post published in: News