Too early to celebrate – Verryn

Verryn was suspended in January this year on allegations that he had flouted the churchs rules and regulations in his fight against the South African government over the relocation and treatment of the predominantly Zimbabwean refugees living in the church.

The suspension came after Verryn had taken government to court and demanded that a curator should take over the relocation of refugee children, as he wanted them to be released from the church only to better places.

The church accused the Bishop of having made the court application without its consent and that he had disregarded presiding Bishop, Ivan Abrahams instruction not to speak to the media.

However, an internal arbitration process cleared Verryn two weeks ago and allowed him to return to the church and resume his duties.

In his first interview since the arbitration ruling, Verryn told The Zimbabwean early this week that, although he felt relieved to be back at work, he was still not sure that it would last, as the church could still re-instate the charges.

I am relieved for now because the internal arbitration ruling vindicated me, but I am waiting for the next attack, whose origin and time of striking I do not know, said Verryn.

Even the Arbitrator, Peter Le Mortee, told The Zimbabwean two weeks ago that the church could still re-instate the charges against the Bishop, as the arbitration had not dealt with the merits and de-merits of the case in clearing him.

For now I will continue my duties at the church and looking after the thousands of underprivileged and downtrodden souls inside the church, but I will remain alert.

He warned South Africans, including government officials, against inhumanly treating the Zimbabwean refugees, adding that a potential was always there for anyone to be an outcasts.

You cannot predict the political situation of any country and it is paramount that whenever you have refugees in your own country, you treat them well because you might need them as your hosts in future, said Verryn.

Refugees are human beings and their human rights need to be afforded human rights. People need to understand that living luxuriously and amassing absurd wealth are not human rights, but having a roof over your head and your ability to express your God-given talent are human rights.

Verryn has been involved in several battles with the Gauteng Local Government, which has continued to send police officers and social workers to intimidate and harass the refugees, threatening to throw them out and close the refugee centre, while some social workers have tried to forcefully take away children from the church to places of safety around the city.