We,
Christians Together for Justice and Peace in Bulawayo, feel constrained
to speak out again on a matter that concerns us greatly relating to
the young people of this country. We refer to the so-called National
Service Training Scheme, which in our view is one of the most pernicious
evils in our midst. In the long term this sinister scheme has the
capacity of inflicting more violence and suffering on our people than
any other already promoted by this violence and lawless regime.
We agree
with the observations of Pius Wakatama (The Daily News - 4th January)
that "the ruling party's most disgusting method of suppression
is their subversion of the country's young people into ruthless killers
through systematic brain-washing (in these camps)".
It is
bad enough that our rules have allowed themselves to be utterly corrupted
by their own lust for power and privilege. It is worse still of course
that they have corrupted so many of their own contemporaries through
their (illegal) powers of patronage and violent methods. But to fill
the minds of the younger generation with nothing but blind prejudice,
hatred and fear is another. And to instil in our youth the firm conviction
that in achieving their objectives violence counts more than any amount
of wisdom, courage or patience, is surely nothing less than Satanic.
First-hand
reports of the brainwashing techniques used in the training centres
are well documented, as the consistent reports of drug abuse, rape
and torture as means to secure the complete subservience of the youths
to their political commissars. Put bluntly, the Training Scheme produces
mindless thugs who will not hesitate to resort to any degree of violence
in compliance with orders. We understand this to be a part of the
grand design of the ruling party to secure the blind and unquestioning
allegiance of all sectors of society to the party leadership and whatever
policies they espouse.
In our
view it is the plain Christian duty of all parents to refuse to allow
their children to take part in such an immoral and corrupting programme,
just as it is the duty of the young people concerned to refuse to
undergo training. We are well aware that some parents with convenient
links to the ruling elite and the necessary funds are buying their
children's exemption, and others may be tempted to try this route
in order to protect their youngsters. However, we appeal to all Christian
parents and young people simply to refuse to have anything to do with
this pernicious scheme.
