Zimbabweans plead for help at US embassy

by julianw | July 3, 2008 at 10:42 am

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According to a report by the South African newspaper Mail & Guardian, a group of 200 Zimbabweans gathered on Thursday outside the U.S. embassy in Harare, pleading for protection and food.

The group, which included breast-feeding mothers and toddlers, sat patiently on the ground outside the embassy where they asked to speak with US officials.

"I need to go out of this country, I don't feel safe," said a 25-year-old from the populous township of Mbare who said he was targetted for being a polling agent for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.

The agent, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that he had initially sought refuge in the MDC's headquarters but did not feel safe there after it was raided last month.

One woman said she had and her one-year-old daughter had been left homeless after suspected ruling party militants burned down her house in a rural district east of the capital.

"About a month ago some people came at night saying my family were MDC supporters and burned our house," said the woman, her baby snuggled in her lap.

"We managed to escape in different directions and sleep in the bush but we lost everything. Up to now I don't know where my husband is.

"I need food and shelter. That is my appeal to anyone who can help.