News / National
Zim police raids disrupt church services
06 Jun 2011 at 08:11hrs | Views
There have been several unconfirmed reports of church services in Zimbabwe being disrupted by police raids over the past few weeks.
SW Radio Africa reports that a truckload of about 20 armed riot police officers violently disrupted a 'Praying for Peace to Save Zimbabwe' church service at the Church of Nazarene in the high-density suburb of Glen Norah.
An estimated congregation of 500, including four Bishops and 46 pastors from Harare, Mutare, Bulawayo and Gweru had gathered to pray for peace amidst the resurgence and escalation of politically motivated violence, arrests and the general breakdown of peace.
The riot squad stormed the church during the service, ordering everyone to disperse. They were armed with rifles, baton sticks and tear gas, which they fired into the church. The ensuing pandemonium led to a stampede with some worshippers forced to escape through windows.
A Catholic priest stationed in Lupane, Father Mark Mkandla, was arrested by police in Lupane in mid-April, after a church service organised to pray for national healing and reconciliation in the area. A parishioner said Fr Mkandla was arrested after he delivered a powerful sermon against violence. He said the police waited until the congregation had left before making the arrest.
A commentator in Harare said: "I don't believe this is an attack on Churches - so much as the authorities are nervous about any organisation having a large meeting which they think could be politically-motivated."
SW Radio Africa reports that a truckload of about 20 armed riot police officers violently disrupted a 'Praying for Peace to Save Zimbabwe' church service at the Church of Nazarene in the high-density suburb of Glen Norah.
An estimated congregation of 500, including four Bishops and 46 pastors from Harare, Mutare, Bulawayo and Gweru had gathered to pray for peace amidst the resurgence and escalation of politically motivated violence, arrests and the general breakdown of peace.
The riot squad stormed the church during the service, ordering everyone to disperse. They were armed with rifles, baton sticks and tear gas, which they fired into the church. The ensuing pandemonium led to a stampede with some worshippers forced to escape through windows.
A Catholic priest stationed in Lupane, Father Mark Mkandla, was arrested by police in Lupane in mid-April, after a church service organised to pray for national healing and reconciliation in the area. A parishioner said Fr Mkandla was arrested after he delivered a powerful sermon against violence. He said the police waited until the congregation had left before making the arrest.
A commentator in Harare said: "I don't believe this is an attack on Churches - so much as the authorities are nervous about any organisation having a large meeting which they think could be politically-motivated."
Source - SWRadio
