Dr. Isak Burger's Blog

CHURCH MEDIA STATEMENT ON ZIMBABWE

The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa appealed yesterday for urgent steps to end the violence and political victimisation in Zimbabwe. The church also endorsed and added its voice to the declaration made by the Council for World Mission on the Zimbabwe Summit meeting held in Benoni this week.

In a statement released by the church’s executive it said:

“It is clear to all that President Mbeki’s mediation efforts, though well meaning, have been a disastrous failure and that the kid-glove approach to the Zimbabwe regime is costing valuable human lives.

“Real international pressure must be put on Zimbabwe and specific sanctions applied to weaken the regime. These must include a total ban on the import of all weapons and ammunitions. These sanctions must be carefully targeted so as to avoid further suffering for the population.

“We believe that Zimbabwe is almost a militarily controlled state and any talks will now need to include the army and police chiefs. It is for this reason that we believe a larger and more competent mediation team needs to be formed and as soon as possible.

“We would also appeal to all South Africans to show real mercy and compassion to those fleeing from the political unrest in Zimbabwe.

“We also call on our church affiliates to render all possible assistance to people who are victims of the Zimbabwe regime and join them and other churches across Africa who are praying for peace to return to the country,”


(Issued by: Dr Isak Burger, president, Dr Japie Lapoorta, deputy president, Pastor George Mahlobo, general secretary and Pastor Trevor Herbert, general treasurer).

For further information contact Ron Steele 082 891 7458