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Saturday 30 August 2008

Diary

Peter Oborne observes the violence and political turmoil in Zimbabwe

The day after my arrival in Harare I attended Evensong at St Mary Magdalene’s Anglican church. The congregation was in a state of shock. Almost every church in Harare had been raided by riot police that morning. In some cases the police blocked worshippers from entering as they arrived, beating up those who tried to object. In other cases the police only made their appearance once the service had already begun. At St Francis Waterfalls the police charged into the church and dragged people from the communion rail as they took the Eucharist, reportedly beating at least one woman senseless. Robert Mugabe accuses the churches of consorting with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

The problem is inflamed by the fact that there are two bishops of Harare. Bishop Kunonga is a strong supporter of Mugabe, and converted his diocese into the religious wing of the ruling party. Though finally excommunicated, he has refused to stand down. He continues to occupy Harare Cathedral, where he sleeps, eats and conducts services for Zanu PF supporters. He has stolen most of the assets and investments belonging to the cathedral. He has also declared his independence from the Anglican province of central Africa — amid denunciations that it supports gays — and has so far ordained a further 30 priests.

On Tuesday I had breakfast with the real bishop of Harare, Sebastian Bakare, a heroic and saintly man. Bishop Sebastian told me that Kunonga is spreading the word that, along with Gordon Brown, he is seeking to bring down the government: ‘An undersecretary came to see me saying that he understood that I was organising a coup. I told him that really I didn’t know that I had the power. Nor did I have access to Gordon Brown.’ Sebastian told me that he ‘takes calls saying, “We are going to fix you.” When I say, “Who are you?” they refuse to say.’ He told me that ‘I am afraid of getting knocked down by a lorry. I am very careful.’ Then he got into his battered old car to drive across Harare and take down fresh accounts of how his parishioners had been attacked so that he could send a report to Lambeth Palace.

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