Zimbabwe: Church leaders issue statement on police violence, government corruption

Christian leaders in Zimbabwe have issued a joint statement protesting against police violence towards demonstrators and the arrest of Baptist pastor Evan Mawarire. They urge the government to address the "genuine concerns of the citizens to avoid the total collapse of the State."

"If the government does not listen to the cries of its suffering citizens" their grievances could soon explode into civil unrest if not addressed, the document said. Among the signatories was the Zimbabwean Episcopal Conference.

Pastor Evan Mawarire was arrested on July 12 and was released the next day on the orders of a Harare court. After the general strike on July 6 the police arrested about 300 people, according to Amnesty International.

In their statement, Christian leaders denounce the violence and police brutality against demonstrators and declare themselves concerned about the intimidation of Mawarire and other Church leaders "who speak in favour of the weakest."

The document criticizes 92-year-old President Robert Mugabe's policies, in particular the failure of companies, in part or in whole of government property, because of "rampant corruption and high levels of unaccountability and impunity." Massive unemployment, moves to impose bond notes despite clear resistance and the loss of trust in the government's ability to pay its workforce are other severe problems, warn the leaders.

Because of hyperinflation, Mugabe abandoned his own currency in 2009 and uses mainly US dollars. Most people in Zimbabwe, with a population of close to 16 million, survive on $1 a day. They eke out a living in small-scale informal trade, mostly selling goods bought in South Africa.

Source: Fides