|PIC1|The Methodist and United Reformed Churches have together voiced their concern about increasing levels of violence and political intimidation, linked to the delay in announcing the result of Zimbabwe's presidential election.

Commenting on the precarious situation, the Rev Dr Stephen Orchard, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, said: "The Zimbabwe Election Commission owes it to the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe to announce the presidential result without further delay, to enable people to begin the urgent task of rebuilding their shattered lives and economy.

"We condemn the campaign of violence and intimidation that has been embarked upon by members of the ruling party, following the announcement of the parliamentary election results. We also believe that people who hold power in any country have a first duty to care for the poor and vulnerable rather than for themselves."

Reflecting on the escalating humanitarian crisis, the General Secretary of the Methodist Church, the Rev David Deeks, said, "The impact on the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans has been immense. The people of Zimbabwe appear to have voted for change and the leaders of Southern African states bear a huge responsibility to ensure that the will of the people is respected. If that doesn't happen, the crisis in Zimbabwe could have an increasingly devastating impact on the entire region."

Zimbabwe Christians are requesting for prayers so that they can hold onto hope as the information blackout in their country enters a third week.

Since the March 29 elections, no official information has been released regarding the presidential contest despite heavy internal and international pressure for the results to be announced.

"Please pray for our leaders to put people first and not their self-interest," said an unidentified Zimbabwean minister to the general secretary of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, the Rev Dr MP Dibeela.

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) released a letter by Dibeela on Friday relating the situation of Zimbabwe.

"We would also be glad if you could pray for us to not lose hope, because if we lose hope then we are finished," the Zimbabwean leader added.

The opposition party in Zimbabwe, world leaders, and human rights groups have raised concerns that the delay in results is the work of President Robert Mugabe and the ruling ZANU-PF party to buy time to rig the election results in their favour.

Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe ever since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1980. Under Mugabe, the once so-called breadbasket of Africa has spiralled into an economic meltdown with the inflation rate over 100,000 per cent and the unemployment rate over 80 per cent.

An estimated 3.5 million Zimbabweans have fled to neighbouring South Africa and other countries to escape the hunger and to earn money to send back to family members still living in Zimbabwe.

"The people of Zimbabwe have been suffering," noted Setri Nyomi, the General Secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, in a statement.

"It is our prayer that Zimbabweans would be able to celebrate future independence days devoid of the political and economic hardships they are undergoing," he said in reference to Zimbabwe's 28th Independence Day on Friday.

The Reformed Church head also commented how "mind boggling" it was that the results have not been released after three weeks.

"This is a miscarriage of justice," Nyomi stated. "Let us join our sisters and brothers in Zimbabwe in praying towards and working for justice to be done."

On Saturday, Zimbabwe began a partial recount of votes from the March 29 elections despite protest from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the opposition party, according to Reuters. The recount could overturn the results of the parliamentary election, which had shown the ZANU-PF losing the majority for the first time.

Moreover, a recount of the parallel presidential vote is also taking place even though results were never released.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai - whose party declared him the winner based on results posted outside polling stations - said the recount is illegal and that the MDC would not accept the results.

"We reject the process. We reject the outcome of this flawed process," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Reuters. "As far as the MDC is concerned, the first results stand. Anything else will be an illegitimate process."

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said the recount process is expected to be completed in three days.