Church leaders & journalists arrested in Kadoma

By Violet Gonda
26 January 2007

The entire leadership of the Christian Alliance and some journalists were arrested at a Church meeting in Kadoma on Friday. The Alliance is the group that brought together a coalition of opposition, civic, churches, labour and student bodies under the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, to help resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe.

Pastor Lawrence Berejena told us that armed riot police came to the Church, where at least 1000 people had gathered to pray for Zimbabwe, and arrested at least 10 people. Those arrested include; Reverend Motsi, Pastor Magaya, Pastor Chiponda, Pastor Gokova, Pius Wakatama (spokesperson for the Alliance), a photojournalist and several people who were filming the event.

The Pastor said people are really suffering and the church is trying to encourage and motivate them but “you get these black boots guys, the riots, surrounding the church with these weapons.”

It’s reported that the prayer gathering also combined a meeting to elect provincial committees and to launch the Christian Alliance in Mashonaland West. Church leaders came from areas like Sanyati, Mhondoro, Chegutu and parts of Midlands. The church is said to have been full to capacity forcing some people to sit outside. Pastor Berejena said there were many people from the mainline churches but also from other denominations such as the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God, Family of God and Church of Christ.

He said they did not need permission to pray especially as the gathering was in a church. Pastor Berejena added: “I don’t know where you are, when people are getting involved in church business besides Sundays, do they seek permission to go into Church to worship God? And to send words of encouragement to people do you seek permission for that? We are not in a council hall or a government hall, we are in a Church. A Church!”

Despite the arrests of their leaders the congregation continued with their prayer meeting. “We are continuing with excitement, feeling hotter than before. We are enjoying the meeting.” And he walked back into the Church where SW Radio Africa could hear people singing and ululating.
Unfortunately Pastor Lawrence Berejena was also arrested, later in the afternoon.

Kadoma police refused to talk to us but we did manage to talk to Reverand Motsi in detention. He confirmed that he was at the police station but was not allowed to give out any more information.