The General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) has expressed grave concern over the growing wave of repression and human rights violations in Zimbabwe and called for immediate action to halt the persecution of Zimbabweans at home and abroad.

The call follows a state crackdown on church leaders who have now become targets of police harassment in Zimbabwe. Last week, there was international outcry when a number of church leaders, civil society activists, human rights campaigners and opposition leaders were detained and beaten by police for participating in public prayer meetings.

Opposition party leaders from the Movement for Democratic Change were among those arrested at the rally and later beaten. They publicly revealed their injuries following their release.

Mr Eddie Makue, the General Secretary of the SACC said, "We notice, with deep concern that Zimbabwean authorities are attempting to create and exploit divisions within the Zimbabwean church. Authoritarian regimes commonly make use of such 'divide and rule' tactics to discredit and stifle genuine opposition.

"History has shown that the truth will set us free. No matter how harsh the repression, a people who seek peace with justice can not be deterred," Makue warned.

The SACC said that the inhuman actions of the Zimbabwean security forces were "rapidly closing the options open to the people of Zimbabwe" in terms of finding amicable solutions to the many challenges confronting the troubled nation.

"The people of Zimbabwe need the space to express peacefully their aspirations and their dissatisfaction with the hyperinflation, unemployment and shortages of basic commodities that are making life intolerable for the vast majority of citizens," Makue observed.

"We hope and pray that avenues for peaceful demonstration will not be completely closed. Similarly, the state should avoid criminalising the legitimate grievances of concerned Zimbabweans."

Makue noted that the massive migration of Zimbabweans to other countries in the region is a clear indicator of the depth and scale of the nation's problems and the need for urgent redress.

The SACC warned that even the relief services offered by churches in neighboring countries are unable to stem the tide of migrants and meet their dire needs. As a result, the situation in Zimbabwe threatens to destabilise the entire SADC (Southern African Development Community) region, it said.

"Political leaders within SADC have a responsibility to engage in actions that enhance peace and security for all people of the region," the SACC said. "The silence of the South African government is aggravating the situation. Our leaders must show that they are committed to helping the people of Zimbabwe to find rapid solutions to the many problems confronting them."

Churches also have a responsibility to speak out, Makue said, as he criticised neighbouring governments for treating Zimbabwean refugees "like criminals".

"Xenophobia and discrimination are rife, and churches must say clearly that we will not tolerate such inhumanity," said Makue.

"Those who are engaged in peaceful and legal actions deserve the support of all peace-loving citizens," he said. "Now is the time for us to act for peace and justice in Zimbabwe."