"I fear only God" - Pius Ncube

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Written by zimsupplies

Monday, 05 November 2007 17:06

BULAWAYO - Unmoved by death threats and sustained vilification in the state-press, Roman Catholic bishop, Pius Ncube, ranks among the most fearless and outspoken critics of President Robert Mugabe's government.
"I am not afraid of anyone but God only," Ncube, speaking in his trademark hoarse tone, said in an exclusive interview with The Zimbabwean last week. "What is radically wrong in Zimbabwe is that we no longer have a government for the people. All they care for are their luxurious lives and their appetite for power at the expense of the people."
At a time when many Zimbabweans are disappointed at the failure by some church leaders to speak openly about human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, Ncube remains forthright in word but, not exactly in deed.
In September Ncube resigned as Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo after being embroiled in a sex scandal involving a married woman. He refused to discuss the issue. "It's sub judice," he said.
Along with a number of church groups in Matabeleland, the Bishop has defied a government edict that only officials of the ruling Zanu (PF) party can distribute food aid in an area where thousands face starvation.
Ncube warned of worsening pre-election violence, and said the international community should do more to rein in the 83-year-old leader.
"Mugabe is desperate to win at all costs and he will rig the elections to ensure victory," said Ncube. "He is thus not prepared to listen to anyone who disagrees with him, including us as church leaders. We have tried to lobby him to change his ways but he keeps ignoring us. We can therefore only rely on God's power to save Zimbabwe from this mess." - Chief Reporter

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