Zim refugees in SA suffering
2005-08-01 16:18
Johannesburg - Refugees from Zimbabwe's operation "Drive Out Trash" are suffering in South Africa from hunger, destitution and harassment by the authorities, the Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe said on Monday.
Crisis Coalition spokesperson Eleanor Sisulu said this at a South African Council of Churches (SACC) news conference on Monday.
She called on the church movement to address the issue of Zimbabwe refugees with the South African government.
Her colleague, Dr Elizabeth Marunda, said many of these people had earned their living through the informal economy.
"They are now helpless," Marunda said.
Earlier church leaders blessed the first consignment of humanitarian aid for Zimbabwe donated by the SACC.
Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane prayed for "sanity" to be brought to the leadership of Zimbabwe, while Rhema Church leader Ray McCauley prayed the event would mark the beginning of momentum to help suffering people in that country.
A convoy of trucks carrying aid relief of 4 500 blankets and 37 tons of maize, beans and oil is to leave Johannesburg for Zimbabwe later in the day.
Ndungane's office said the convoy would be escorted by SA soldiers.
- SAPA