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  Verryn to Face Disciplinary Committee

By Munyaradzi Mutizwa
Zimbabwe Times
January 23, 2010

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=26872

SOUTH AFRICA -- CENTRAL Methodist Church Bishop Paul Verryn who was suspended from his post on Tuesday now faces charges of transgressing the rules and norms of the Methodist Church in South Africa, the church announced Friday.He will appear before the church disciplinary committee on February 1.

"He has been charged with transgressing the laws and discipline of the church, essentially the constitution of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa," the church said in a statement.

Paul Verryn

It was not clear till the time of going to the press why Verryn was suspended. Bongani Khoza the legal representative for the church remained tight-lipped on the details of the sensational suspension.

Verryn applied to the High Court last year in a bid to get a curator appointed for unaccompanied minors living at the church.

The application followed ongoing squabbles between the church and the Gauteng government, which accused Verryn of refusing to cooperate with social workers who had wanted to move Zimbabwean children from the church to proper homes and shelters.

People at the church say Verryn and the children rejected the offer because the government was offering temporary shelter for only three months.

"The government move was irresponsible and far from solving the crisis," Tarisa Mbera, a Zimbabwe refugee at the church said. "That's why Verryn and the children refused to move. The government was offering temporary accommodation for only three months …what was going to happen after this? Obviously the children were going to be more vulnerable and come back to him Verryn again."

More than 1500 Zimbabweans reside at the church among hundreds from other African nationals, including South Africana, all under the tutelage of Verryn.

Subsequent to Verryn's application, children's rights lawyer Dr Ann Skelton, from the Centre for Child Law, was appointed by the Johannesburg High Court to act as the legal guardian to the 56 unaccompanied children.

She was expected to compile a report making recommendations on the care of the children by February 8.

The Methodist Church of Southern Africa said Verryn acted unilaterally in launching the application. The church said it only allowed the presiding bishop or the church's general secretary to bring an application before a court.

"Bishop Paul Verryn has acted unilaterally and without the support of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa," Ivan Abrahams, the head of the church said.

The Central Methodist Church has given refuge to a number of Zimbabwean immigrants. It has been at the centre of controversy involving the situation of women and children. There have also been allegations of sexual abuse.

Last October, the Gauteng legislature's health and social development portfolio committee called for the closure of the church.

In December last year the government said it was considering taking court action to remove children from the church.

 
 

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