Media Statement by Cardinal Wilfrid Napier OFM, Spokesperson of the
Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC).Media Release 24 June 2008
Southern African Catholic Bishops extremely concerned at the situation in Zimbabwe.
The people of Zimbabwe have the right to choose their President in an
election that is contested freely and fairly. The Southern African
Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) passionately supports this
legitimate aspiration of the Zimbabwean people.Sadly, the politically motivated violence, intimidation and torture
have made a just and fair run-off presidential election virtually
impossible. The electoral playing field is not level. Opposition
candidates cannot present their views to the electorate, nor do they
have equitable access to the media. Monitoring systems are not in
place.The violence has intensified in the last few weeks to the extent that
the Movement for Democratic Change has made the difficult decision not
to participate in what has degenerated into a sham. The choice by the
MDC to try to protect the lives of supporters and others who have been
targeted is understandable. The alternative would have been an
undeclared civil war.A consensus model of government that involves all Zimbabweans must be
sought. The International Community must co-operate with the Southern
African Development Community to bring about a just settlement. A
'winner-takes-all' solution that rewards the ruling party for its
atrocities and criminal mismanagement will only entrench the
sufferings of the most vulnerable.We, together with other organisations, warn that the atrocities and
barbarism of Zanu-PF are being documented. Mr Mugabe's actions and
those of his Generals, their wives, his thug supporters and the
so-called 'war veterans' are offensive in the eyes of God. Judgement
awaits.Everyone needs to keep asking the question as to who is benefiting
from the current crisis in Zimbabwe.We, the Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa, believe that the actions
of the incumbent ruling elite deserve rigorous censure. They are
blight on every African.We call on the member States of the African Union to register their
commitment to democracy in Zimbabwe by rejecting the legal fiction
that this election has become and by not recognising Robert Mugabe and
his party as the legitimate government.We are deeply concerned at this situation and warn that unless there
is a unified effort from the International Community with the
leadership of Southern African Countries, the hopeless situation of
violence, famine and uncertainty will result in a vast humanitarian
crisis that will engulf the whole Southern African region.Cardinal Wilfrid Napier OFM.
Archbishop of Durban.
Spokesperson of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference.
