Zimbabwean Children Abused at Joburg Church, The Zimbabwe Guardian, September 14, 2009

Zimbabwean Children Abused at Joburg Church

The Zimbabwe Guardian
September 14, 2009

http://www.talkzimbabwe.com/news/117/ARTICLE/5372/2009-09-14.html

These children live at Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg, which is housing 1,200 to 1,500 migrants, most from Zimbabwe. Medicins Sans Frontier runs a health clinic next to the church.

ZIMBABWEAN children as young as 14-years-old living at the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg , South Africa are being recruited by adults to commit crime and others being sexually and physically abused, the Zimbabwe Guardian has learnt.

Bishop John Verryn's Methodist Church has become home to hundreds of Zimbabweans who left the country and are destitute in South Africa.

Many of those economic migrants who left the country at the height of the economic crisis are children who arrived unaccompanied by adults.

A South African publication, Eyewitness News, alleges that young girls are being sexually abused by male teachers staying at the church. Young boys are said to be forced into a life of crime on dangerous Johannesburg streets.

"Scores of children have left the facility as a result of the abuse and crime," says the publication.

The paper quotes one young boy who told about his "terrifying experience" at the church.

“I just wish that people out there could open their eyes and see what’s going on,” said one child.

Another youth explained how some adults recruited children to commit crimes: “They make friends with you then they ask if you want to work for them and get money.”

He said some children get so caught up in the lucrative web of crime that they often begin to act on their own.

Investigations into this allegation are said to be underway with South African police and church officials investigating the abuses.

"Hearings will be held this week, to investigate allegations that young girls are being sexually abused by teachers at the Central Methodist Church," says Eyewitness News.

The church has become home to hundreds of Zimbabwean nationals, many of them children, who left Zimbabwe.

Bishop Verryn told the publication that he was aware of allegations that some adults have tried to solicit sexual favours from youngsters taking refuge at the place of safety.

Verryn claims hearings will be held by ministers at the church to investigate the claims.

“An internal commission has been set up by the church and which includes other ministers in the church as well as senior lay people of the church.”