Kunonga' people still active

Mr Nolbert Kunonga

From Anglican Information

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION reports that there have been sporadic hopeful reports in the press about an apparent weakening of the Mugabe regime and signs that the power sharing deal might have had some effect for the better. These need, in our opinion, to be treated with great caution. Here below for example is a report of events last Sunday from a Harare correspondent telling of more difficulties for Anglicans from the state-backed renegade ‘Archbishop’ Kunonga faction.

Update on St.Peter's Anglican Church, Meyrick Park, Mabelreign, Harare.
Sunday, March 15th 2009

During the week our ex priest (Prosper Muzambi, a Kunonga supporter) was taken to the Magistrates Court charged with assault and malicious damage to property. He was given bail and will be tried next month. His victim, the wife of our church caretaker, was taken to hospital. She has a medical report on the injuries to her back and a dental report. Two broken teeth will have to be removed.

This morning two or three hundred of us got to St.Peter's to find the police already there. This was somewhat expected as yesterday when the youth came to tidy up the church garden, Muzambi sent for the police and they were sent away.

Later on the same thing happened to the Mothers Union. Today we did not even get to the car park as two police in helmets were stationed in the road. One a young girl with glasses seemed to taking practice swings with her truncheon. Later another policeman moved their car across the road to the annoyance of residents further down the cul de sac.

It was interesting to observe the different way people behaved. Most just stood quietly in the road, but a group of about ten Mothers Union members surrounded another woman policeman, all shouting at her at the same time, some raising their arms. She just stood her ground and tried to talk to them but the noise was too great. In contrast some of the senior men took the Member in Charge away from the noise and they talked quietly. The church warden had a copy of the affidavit from the Chief of Police stating that he had never turned anyone out of church. It was agreed they should go together to the Central Police Station to look for the Inspector who had ordered that no Anglicans were to be allowed into their churches today.

At this point it began to rain so we all moved away and went to the Hall of a local school. The headmistress is fortunately a member of our congregation, and was in the crowd. The altar cloth, candles and chalices which were in someone's car were quickly put out and we had a very nice Eucharist.

The church warden returned from town and reported that the whole city police force appeared to be involved in trying to prevent Anglicans from worshipping in their church buildings! He heard conversations with the group of police sent to Mabvuku where Bishop Bakare was celebrating. I have since heard that the Bishop is all right, and they managed to have the service. But I have also heard that at St Mary's Chitengwiza, Harare's satellite town, some Anglicans were beaten and have been arrested. Human rights lawyers have gone out there.

St.Peter's are now looking for somewhere to have their service next week, to be followed by Vestry Meeting.

Please keep praying.

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION reports that this is typical of the type of situation that the next Bishop of Harare will have to deal with when he is elected next month to replace bishop Sebastian Bakare. It remains our view that this is not a sensible time to replace him.

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