Stop arms flow to Zimbabwe, Church says

Social Justice News
April 22, 2008

Stop arms flow to Zimbabwe, Church says
PRETORIA, April 18, 2008 (CISA) -The Catholic Church in Southern Africa today urged the government of President Thabo Mbeki stop shipment of military equipment to Zimbabwe through South Africa.

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier OFM, Archbishop of Durban and Spokesperson for the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference said the Catholic Church in Southern Africa was concerned about reports that arms and munitions destined for Zimbabwe were being trans-shipped through South Africa.

“On behalf of the Catholic Community in Southern Africa, I call on the South Africa government not to allow any more arms and munitions to enter Zimbabwe through South Africa until an acceptable solution is found to the present situation,” Cardinal Napier said.

Zimbabwe is in a deep political crisis following failure of the national elections body to announce presidential resultsa of the March 29 election which the opposition claims it won. Reports say the army has been beating people especially in major towns, accusing them of involvement in opposition politics.

Violence has also gripped the countryside, where many villagers have fled their homes.

“The deepening crisis and escalating violence in Zimbabwe compels us to repeat our call for immediate international intervention by a competent and objective mediator such as Kofi Annan,” Cardinal Napier said.

“Failure of the international community to act immediately condemns the Zimbabwean people to on-going insecurity and suffering.”

A regional summit last week failed to pressure President Robert Mugabe to find a quick solution to the deteriorating crisis. President Mbeki has said there is no crisis in Zimbabwe.

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