SACC Criticises Govt Over Refugees

The primary villain in the Central Methodist Church (CMC) Zimbabwean refugee saga is not Bishop Paul Verryn, but government, according to the South African Council of Churches (SACC).

In a press statement responding to a surprise visit to the church by the Gauteng portfolio committee on health and social development last week, the SACC describes their visit as “understandable, yet rather late”.

It warns that the closure of the church will satisfy the interests of those who want the sight of poor and destitute people removed from the centre of "their beloved city" - especially now that the 2010 Soccer World Cup is coming.

"These people moved into [the church] because it responded to a humanitarian crisis, to which few other people, including the local, provincial and national government responded," says the SACC.

To read the article titled, “SACC slams govt over refugees,” click here.