“It is now time to isolate Mugabe completely and to remove all forms of moral, material, or tacit support for him and his party. Regardless of whether he is a former “liberator”or an “elder African statesman,” he must be forced to step down,” said Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, for the Roman Catholic bishops, in a statement on December 18.
“As world leaders and people everywhere express their horror at the rapidly
deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe, we, the Catholic bishops of South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland, add our voice to the cries of those who insist that no effort must be spared in ensuring that a political solution to the current impasse is found,” the statement said.
Cardinal Napier said that the crisis in Zimbabwe is continuing and noted that its neighbor, South Africa, plays a key role in facilitating a process towards justice and peace in Zimbabwe.
“We are deeply saddened that, after eight years of mediation, all the talk has borne no fruit,” said Napier, who is also archbishop of Durban. “Some African leaders, to their shame, have felt it necessary to stand in solidarity with Mugabe against the supposed machinations of former colonial and present imperial powers.”
The bishops noted South Africa’s “crucial role” in facilitating change in Zimbabwe and said they were “extremely disappointed” at the region’s leadership, including South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, whose government “has the capacity to force Mugabe to go” but lacks the political will.
“We therefore call on President Motlanthe to stop immediately all collusion with Mugabe and to cut off any lifeblood that South Africa is offering him,” the bishops’ conference said. It said it was apparent that Mugabe was not ready to relinquish power voluntarily and that he was “comfortable” to watch innocent people die.
According to relief agencies, up to 5 million people of Zimbabwe’s 11 million people will need food aid in the coming months. More than 15 500 have suffered from cholera, with more than 1,100 deaths recorded.
Napier said the Catholic bishops are urging President Motlanthe, in consultation with Zimbabwe’s parliament and civic organizations, to consider freezing the assets in South Africa of Mugabe and his associates.
“We recommit ourselves and our people to praying that they will be able to unite and have the courage and strength to persevere in the struggle to remove the evil brought on them by Mugabe’s dictatorship,” the bishops said.
