Bishop Magaya: We Can't Just Watch Govt Violating Zimbabweans' Freedoms
Bishop Magaya stressed that the church cannot watch while people’s rights are being violated by the state.
WASHINGTON DC — A minister of religion says Zimbabweans are concerned about the disappearance of Itai Dzamara, who was abducted by unknown assailants four months ago. Bishop Ancelimo Magaya of Grace Ablaze Ministries International, who has been heading a team organizing a prayer meeting for the missing Occupy Africa Unity Square leader, told VOA Studio 7 such prayer rallies were likely to upset some government officials. Bishop Magaya noted that there are historical conflicts between the church and the state, which normally arise from fears by the state that ministers of religion are dabbling into politics when they address some of these issues. “That has always been the order even in the Bible, men of God like Amos, men of God like Amos who would always attract such (state anger).So, whilst we don’t aim at doing so to attracts such conflicts … when it happens in our pursuit of justice let it be so,” he said. Bishop Magaya stressed that the church cannot watch while people’s rights are being violated by the state. Most Zimbabweans allege that Dzamara was allegedly abducted by state agents of the feared spy network, the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO). The High Court ordered the police, Criminal Investigation Department and CIO to find Dzamara and report their findings on a regular basis to the relevant authorities. The family of the missing political activist says this is not being done by these arms of the government. Hundreds of people have disappeared without trace in Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. They include hundreds of Five Brigade victims, paralegal worker Paul Chizuze and former state employee Rashiwe Guzha.