One of the most outspoken critics of Robert Mugabe says he was ordered by the Vatican to keep mum over the crisis devastating his own country.Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo resigned in September 2007 after a man sued him for adultery.
He returned home last month after spending a year in Rome and Britain, but says Catholic authorities forbade him to make political statements.
In an interview with The Times of London, Ncube said that he would obey the Vatican order, but added: “I am very upset about it. I believe in speaking out for the people at a time of distress. This country is in the worst situation - worse than when I left.”
As archbishop, Ncube repeatedly denounced Mugabe's misrule, championed non-violent opposition, and defied death threats. So prominent was he that he had to discount rumours that he would run for president.
Jenni Williams, leader of the human rights organisation, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), told The Times: “We bemoan the silencing of Pius Ncube because his voice was very loud and we still need it. We need as many voices as possible to speak out and hold Mugabe accountable.”
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Ncube, 61, fell from grace in July 2007 when the state media published pictures of him in bed with Mrs Rosemary Sibanda. Sibanda died in May.
He said he had been planning to end his “sinful” relationship with Sibanda when he was filmed. “Partly, I blame myself for those things that were improper, but I also blame the government because they did it so as to cling to power.”
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(Source: SN)