Zimbabwe Archbishop Rebukes 'Orchestrated' Adultery Accusations

The Archbishop of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe has said those accusing him of committing adultery are attempting to discredit his name.

|PIC1|Archbishop Pius Ncube, one of the most outspoken critics of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, is being taken to court after being accused of adultery, which is illegal in the African country.

The lawsuit has been filed by the husband of a woman who worked as a secretary in the Archbishop's office.

Lawyers representing Archbishop Ncube have called the allegations "an orchestrated attempt" to discredit him.

The Archbishop, who has boldly stood against Mugabe, has firmly denied the allegations. He even called recently for Britain to invade his country to help overthrow President Robert Mugabe.

He has reported to the international community that millions could soon die from the famine currently rife in the troubled country.

Pressure is building on Zimbabwe's controversial president, with inflation now hitting 15,000 per cent - forcing the majority of the population deeper into poverty.

Archbishop Ncube has described Mugabe as a "massive risk to life".

He said, "I think it is justified for Britain to raid Zimbabwe and remove Mugabe. We should do it ourselves but there's too much fear. I'm ready to lead the people, guns blazing, but the people are not ready."

Reports from some areas of the country have warned that up to 95 per cent of the crops this year have failed. This has left just enough food for a few weeks for families that needed to yield a full year's worth to survive.

The Archbishop of Bulawayo said: "People in our mission hospitals are dying of malnutrition. We had the best education in Africa and now our schools are closing. Most people are earning less than their bus fares. There's no water or power. Is the world just going to let everything collapse in on us?"

Zimbabwean state radio has reported that Onesimus Sibanda was demanding 20 billion Zimbabwe dollars (£80,000 on the country's black market exchange rate) in damages from the archbishop for allegedly committing adultery with his wife.

The radio said his wife, Rosemary Sibanda, had "admitted the affair" to the state broadcasting company.

Attorney Nick Matonzi said it was "some kind of orchestrated attempt to embarrass the archbishop", and added he would deny the allegations in court.