wfn.org | Southern African Congregational Church statement on Zimbabwe.

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

3 May 2000

Cape Town - Dr Des van der Water, the General Secretary of the United
Congregational Church of Southern Africa, has expressed the church's
concern at the mounting political and criminal violence in Zimbabwe and the
increasing official disregard of the rule of law by the government of
President Robert Mugabe.

In a press statement, Dr van der Water noted the church's readiness to
surrender land granted to the missionaries for settlement by local people
during the 1980's. He deplored the fact that, so far, only high government
and party officials have formally been allocated land made available for
redistribution. Little has been done to the advantage of ordinary people
during the twenty years' of Zimbabwe's independence.

"The UCCSA deplores the attacks on, and killing of farm workers, farm
owners and their families", the statement reads. "The church notes that the
present trend of farm occupations will be unemployment for large numbers of
long-serving farm workers, and economic hardship for whole communities.
"The church calls on the government of Zimbabwe to respect the rule of law;
to ensure an end to political and criminal violence; and urges its people
to remain calm in the face of incitement and intimidation.

"The UCCSA also calls on the international community to use the same
peaceful methods that helped end apartheid to impress on the government of
President Mugabe the need to guarantee the rights of all Zimbabweans, and
to ensure that peaceful, free and fair elections take place as soon as
possible".

Dr van der Water expressed support for the call, prayers and work of the
Zimbabwe Council of Churches for justice and peace, tolerance, fairness and
reconciliation.

Rev Dave Wanless - UCCSA Media Officer
Tel & Fax: +27 (21) 683-9665
Cell: 082 958-6482
E-mail: davecong@mweb.co.za
Website: www.uccsa.co.za