In his opening address to the January plenary of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC), Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg also expressed dismay at South Africa, the region's economic and political power, for failing Zimbabwe.
President Mugabe ought to be persuaded to retire, said Tlhagale. He has done his country incalculable harm. We would like to see fresh elections without Mugabe.
Meanwhile, at the National Church Leaders Consultation meeting in Stellenbosch, near Cape Town, there were calls for the intervention of the African Union and the appointment of a new facilitator of the talks in Zimbabwe.
"Zimbabwe has collapsed. Former President Thabo Mbeki is compromised and is no longer suitable for the mediation process," the group said. "We believe that Mugabe is holding on to illegitimate power. The people of Zimbabwe spoke on March 31, 2008 by electing a new leadership. We therefore call upon Mugabe to resign in order to give democracy a new chance."
The assembly of more than 30 church leaders includes Roman Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, Dutch Reformed, Lutheran and Rhema officials.
Post published in: News