Church concern for Rhodesian refugees and fear of violence

By John Carey
Church authorities in Rhodesia have voiced serious concern about the arrangements made for thousands of refugees returning to the country from neighbouring states and many missionaries fear that an early British withdrawal would make a violent aftermath to the elections inevitable whoever wins.
All churches are closely involved in the resettlement and rehabilitation programmes for refugees. There is alarm that the administration appears to be dragging its feet over allowing the non-armed refugees back and because the presence of a large number of armed personel at the refugee centres is contributing to an atmosphere of suspicion.
The concern mirrors wider fears about the possible breakdown of the ceasefire: this week Fr Raymond Machikicho, a black priest working with the Bethleham Fathers near Gwelo, and his driver, became the latest victims of the continuing violence when they were beaten to death, allegedly by young guerillas.
Meanwhile in Britain, a massive appeal has been launched with the backing of leaders from all the major churches to help rebuild Rhodesia after seven years of civil war.
A large part of the reconstruction work will involve the estimated 250.000 refugees returning from Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. But in the last three weeks concern has been growing about the arrangements for resettlement.
There are six reception centres under the authority of the Department of Social Affairs. At each one there are representatives of Christian Care, an aid
organisation run by all the churches. and of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The plan — agreed by all sides — was that returning refugees should stay there for 24 hours before moving on to their homes or to transit centres run by the churches: 1,000 refugees were to be handled every day.
However, at Tegwani mission, near Plumtree, for example,
between January 21 and January 30 the local authorities only allowed 4,000 refugees in, of whom only 2,600 were processed. Similar problems have been encountered elsewhere.
Officials of Christian Care and UNHCR have also criticised the large numbers of armed personnel at reception centres: the one at Tegwani was described by Christian Care as looking more like an army camp than a welcome-home centre. In addition some refugees have been asked which party they intend to vote for.
.Consequently the Rhodesian authorities are suspected of
deliberately delaying the refugees' return to reduce the numbers eligible to take part in the election.
In Britain Cardinal Hume has thrown his weight behind a f50,000 appeal launched this week by the churches and their official aid organisations, including the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development, the Catholic Institute for International Relations and Christian Aid.
The Cardinal wrote in his lekter of support: "In the civil war, the community's sense of trust has been eroded. Now, thankfully, there is a ceasefire. and preparations for elections can go ahead. It is very important that there he an immediate start to the tusk of rebuilding a shattered country. and restoring unity to Rhodesia. We now have the chance to contribute to the process of reconciliation and reconst ruction," The money will be used to help about a million Rhodesians who have been forced to leave their homes because of the war as well as the families of thousands who have been detained under martial law regulations. It will also go towards feeding the country's children. one in three of whom are estimated to be malnourished.
It is hoped that the money ss ill help to provide supplementary nutrition until April 19l, when the first harvests should be ready. Cash will also he used in restoring the education system, including rebuilding schools.
Christian Aid say that a grant of f50,000 has been set aside to enable chaplains, (many of them Catholics) to reach guerilla camps for the pastoral and spiritual care.