Political agenda behind church raids?

Hajira Amla31 January 2008 

In scenes reminiscent of apartheid-era raids, police stormed on the Central Methodist Church in downtown Johannesburg at midnight last night and detained scores of illegal Zimbabwean immigrants. It may be feasible to suggest that the sudden vigour on behalf of the South African government with regard to detaining these individuals could be a push to get anti-Mugabe Zimbabweans back in the country ahead of the general elections in March.  

The church is widely known among Zimbabweans as a place of sanctuary for those desperately trying to escape economic hardship and political turmoil in their own country. As the South African refuses to recognize these people as refugees, no plan exists to deal with the influx of an estimated 4,000 people coming across South Africa’s border from Zimbabwe towards Johannesburg. Few charities or non-governmental-organizations are willing to help Zimbabwean refugees specifically, because South African locals often feel resentful of the foreigners, as looking after the millions who have fled the faltering Zimbabwean economy is a huge drain on an already overburdened social welfare program. Zimbabweans are also often more than willing to work for less than the average South African would be prepared to work for, thus often denying South African citizens of essential jobs. 

The Central Methodist Church was one NGO that was willing to try to alleviate the plight of the Zimbabweans. Hundreds of homeless Zimbabwean men, women and children are sheltered at the church until they find some way of making an income and supporting themselves. Many South Africans say they don’t feel sorry for the Zimbabweans living in South Africa, but it makes a difference to know that the Central Methodist Church can keep some needy people off the streets. 

Bishop Paul Verryn, the church’s leader, claims he was manhandled by police officers and says he saw some detainees being assaulted while being put in police vehicles.  

Trying to force a lot of hungry and embittered people back to their country at election time to push a political agenda could have disastrous effects if violence should flare up. If these suspicions are founded, the South African government could have blood on their hands and a lot of explaining to do.