Many victims of a Zimbabwe government campaign to clear urban slums are now living with no possessions and are in urgent need, The Churches of Christ movement's Global News reports.
President Robert Mugabe's three-week campaign named "Drive out Rubbish" destroyed 20,000 homes - sometimes with residents still inside - resulting in several deaths, tens of thousands of arrests and 300,000 people being made homeless.
The Vice President of our World Convention of Churches of Christ, Bafundi J Mpofu, says many from his home church in Makhokhoba were caught up in the turmoil and has called the church to prayer.
"We deeply appreciate your prayers at this time,” he says. “Thank you to those who have already assisted with funds for the relief effort. If it is at all possible more is still needed to assist these brothers and sisters."
Although they too have lost home and possessions Makhokhoba Church of Christ members are helping organise relief efforts for their former neighbors.
Bafundi himself was not personally affected - he lives in Bulawayo where the church runs a farm village for AIDS orphans.
The Zimbabwe opposition say "Operation Drive out rubbish" was punishment for urban dwellers who mostly voted against President Robert Mugabe's ruling party in March elections.
I am still staggered how a government could make 300,000 of its people homeless in three weeks!?
Police destory another home in Zimbabwe. Photo Associated Press.
I am staggered how the man allows people to die of starvation by denying them food aid.
Posted by: Homer Paxton | July 13, 2005 at 12:43 PM