Leaders of the Presbyterian Church of Wales have joined calls for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to “redouble” its efforts to ensure fair elections in Zimbabwe, where a presidential run-off election will be held on 27 June.

Twelve senior British church leaders have written to President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia, who is president of SADC, expressing their “grave concerns about the deteriorating situation”. The Moderator and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Wales have given their full support to the message.

“Voters are being intimidated and tortured,” said Moderator Reverend John Owen “and human rights groups have reported that dozens of people have been killed.”

“I am deeply concerned that this seriously damages the possibility of a free and fair run- off election being held. I urge the SADC to do everything within its power to help Zimabweans end the violence and intimiation.”

Despite the economic collapse in Zimbabwe, the government has instructed humanitarian agencies to suspend all aid operations. Vulnerable groups such as orphans, disabled people, those with HIV and AIDS and the elderly, no longer receive food aid.

“It’s just such a tragedy” said Lyn Eltringham, an elder at Stow Park church, Newport, who lived in Zimbabwe for thirty years. “My children were all born in Zimbabwe. I think that you had to know the country before to really understand how things have deteriorated.”

“We can only pray that things get better.”

The World Council of Churches has this week called on all Christians to mark a day of prayer for Zimbabwe on Sunday, 22 June 2008.

“We urge our members to remember Zimbabwe in their prayers this Sunday and every day of next week” said Reverend Ifan Roberts, General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Wales.

“Pray that they are able to vote without suffering violence or intimidation, and that the government brings an end to this terror. And pray that the SADC and other international bodies do everything they can to ensure free and fair elections.”