JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, MAY 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference says a will to stop violence is needed before a free and fair run-off election could be possible in Zimbabwe.
Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg called for a "stop to the horror" in a media statement released Tuesday.
"Out of concern for the people of Zimbabwe, the bishops of the Catholic Church in Southern Africa appeal for international and regional pressure to end the systematic intimidation, violence and torture in Zimbabwe. The current environment is not conducive to free and fair run-off elections," the prelate said.
Zimbabwe held presidential and parliamentary elections March 29. But in a move widely interpreted by the international community as a ploy by President Robert Mugabe, 84, to continue his firm grasp on power, results were not announced until more than a month later.
In the interim, reports poured in of intimidation, torture and even the killing of opposition supporters. When the electoral commission did finally give results May 2, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had finished first with 47.9% of the vote against Mugabe's 43.2%. But Tsvangirai's party -- and plenty of others -- doubt the accuracy of those results.
Now, the nation awaits a possible run-off election, though Tsvangirai has not yet agreed to it. And reports of intimidation continue.
Thugs
Archbishop Tlhagale said he visited Zimbabwe with Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, archbishop of Durban, South Africa, and they were given "first-hand accounts of systematic intimidation, violence and torture. The victims identified the perpetrators as agents of the Zimbabwe armed forces, the police, the Central Intelligence Organization, war veterans, youth militia and plain thugs."
"These human rights abuses are visited not only on those who are thought to have voted for the opposition, but also on those who assisted the election process, such as polling officers," Archbishop Tlhagale affirmed. "This 'reign of terror' has seen many deaths, savage beatings and flight from family, homes and communities. Human dignity is intrinsic to every human being, regardless of political affiliation, and must be respected. I call on all political parties to reign in their supporters and end this horror.
"I question whether a 'free and fair' run-off election is possible unless there is a will to stop this violence."
The prelate called for international election observers to be deployed immediately to assess both the remote and immediate preparation for the run-off election.
And he invited the Zimbabwean people "to remember the hope with which they entered the March elections [...] and to do all in their power to restore Zimbabwe to its rightful place in the family of nations."
Beyond the political crisis in Zimbabwe, the economic situation of the country continues in complete collapse. The official rate of inflation is more than 165,000% but the actual figure is believed to be higher.
