------------------------------ *Bishop denies allegations of rape and prostitution at safehouse for Zimbabweans in South Africa*
*By Tererai Karimakwenda 09 June 2006* A recent report in The Star newspaper in South Africa alleged that *drunkenness was rampant, rape was not uncommon, fights were regular and theft was ongoing at the Methodist Church safehouse for Zimbabweans being run by Bishop Paul Verryn*. Sally Mofulumo, the author of the report claimed to have spoken to the Bishop, but in an in-depth interview Friday Bishop Verryn said this was not so. Speaking to the Reverend Dr. Martine Stemerick he denied the allegations but acknowledged that it is extremely difficult to police 700 people in a small space. He said the reporters sneaked into the building and began taking photographs of the residents without his or their permission. All members of the press are instructed to get permission first because some of the residents are political victims of torture who are still being hunted by the Mugabe regime and their security could be compromised. The Bishop has sheltered many Zimbabwean refugees fleeing from persecution and poverty in Zimbabwe for years now without much support from the South African government, depending on donations from well-wishers and volunteers. He said he sees everybody who comes into the building himself. As for the serious allegations about rape and rampant fights and drinking, the Bishop said: "There are 6 or 7 things I say to everyone. The first is no drinking, no smoking of anything whatsoever, no fighting, no stealing, you keep the place clean, you don't conduct your sexual enterprises anywhere in the building and lastly you come to church everyday." Bishop Verryn said he has personally removed drunken individuals from the building and encourages residents to report any aggressive behaviour. He said he had heard rumours about a rape incident but this was most unusual. He did admit that there had been some minor theft at the Methodist centre but he praised the residents for getting on so well under the circumstances. Bishop Verryn also denied a report which alleged that underage and unaccompanied Zimbabwean girls are sexually abused in return for a 'safe stay and food' at the sanctuary by gangsters conniving with church supervisors. The Bishop said no one had contacted him for comment on about this. http://www.swradioafrica.com/news090606/bishop090606.htm ------------------------------ __._,_. -- MARLENE VAN DOORN'S jusfiq hadjar (66 years old) is a human? we're not sure yet. There's still no proof - JustJoiningTheTribe [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get to your groups with one click. Know instantly when new email arrives http://us.click.yahoo.com/.7bhrC/MGxNAA/yQLSAA/uTGrlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
