Pretoria, South Africa, Apr 19, 2008 / 03:05 am
The Catholic Church in Southern Africa on Friday urged South Africa President Thabo Mbeki to halt shipment of military equipment to Zimbabwe from South Africa, the Catholic Information Service for Africa (CISA) reports.
Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, OFM, the Archbishop of Durban and spokesman for the South African Catholic Bishops Conference, said the move was prompted by reports that arms and munitions destined for Zimbabwe are being 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, according to CISA.
Zimbabwe is suffering a political crisis after its national elections body failed to announce the results of the March 29 election. The opposition of incumbent Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe claims to have won the election. Reportedly, the Zimbabwe army has been beating people accused of membership in the opposition, especially in major towns. In the countryside, violence has prompted many villagers to flee their homes.