Methodist Bishop Paul Verryn has warned that the recipe for a genocide in Zimbabwe has moved closer due to the attack on vulnerable people by the Mugabe regime. His Church in Johannesburg has provided a home to at least 70 refugees. The Bishop said the situation is a nightmare for the church and the victims, as resources are limited.

A visiting delegation of Zimbabwe pastors in South Africa have expressed shock at the conditions the exiles are living in. The delegation from the Zimbabwe National Pastors Conference, a grouping of clergy, pastors and priests, is in South Africa for a week to provide pastoral support for those who were forced to leave home. The pastors said they have seen the squalid conditions people are living in and the harsh treatment by South African police, who do not help these struggling exiles.

Bishop Verryn criticised the Mbeki government for failing to recognise that Zimbabwe is in a conflict situation. He said this prevents the refugees from having protection from the state and access to resources. Assistance is hugely limited for his Methodist church which is sheltering at least 70 immigrants. "It's a nightmare as there is not enough food, not enough resources and not enough ablutions, and because of the overcrowding it's difficult to keep the church clean." But the Bishop said that it is better for the victims, than sleeping in the streets.

The visiting delegation of Zimbabwean pastors said they are horrified at the conditions under which Zimbabwean immigrants are living in South Africa. Speaking for the group Reverend Vimbai Mugwidi said, "horrified, is a huge understatement."

She said the pastors were hoping that their mission would further highlight the plight of Zimbabwean immigrants around South Africa and draw the attention of South African authorities and those who can help, to their situation.

As we've been reporting, most Zimbabweans complained they could not access formal employment without the necessary refugee permits.
They say they are exploited by employers who pay starvation wages knowing they had no recourse.

Even those with the refugee permits were routinely discriminated against by the South African police, who tear up their permits and ask for bribes.

Bishop Verryn said the biggest problem is that the South African authorities do not recognise that Zimbabwe is a conflict situation. He said, "This prevents access to everything for the victims, you don't have many rights in this situation." The cleric said the holding facility at Lindela is absolutely appalling with some people choosing to be deported so as to get out of that place.

He said churches are trying to give practical assistance and lobby the Mbeki government to make the case for the need for recognition.

He added, "Our greatest fear in South Africa is that the Zimbabwean recipe for genocide is becoming more and more problematic and frightening."