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Mugabe Critic Quits Over Sex Scandal

Archbishop's supporters suspect regime is behind adultery lawsuit

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 12, 2007 3:18 PM CDT

(Newser) – An archbishop and prominent critic of Robert Mugabe's regime has resigned his Catholic Church leadership position after being accused of having an affair with a married woman. Pius Ncube remains a bishop, and his supporters say they see the authoritarian Zimbabwean regime behind the scandal, which Ncube calls "a state-driven, vicious attack," the LA Times reports.

Mugabe is stepping up pressure on the opposition ahead of next year's elections, and critics see the scandal as part of a pattern. "The pain for people around here has been immense," one human rights activist said of the revelations. "I have not been silenced by the crude machinations of a wicked regime," Ncube said in a statement released yesterday.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (2)]

President Robert Mugabe greets party supporters at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007. Thousands of war veterans marched in the streets of Harare in an effort to show solidarity... (Associated Press)

Roman Catholic Archbishop, Pius Ncube, from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, speaks at a news conference in Johannesburg, South Africa in this July 10, 2007 file photo. Ncube, who was an outspoken critic of his... (Associated Press)

Roman Catholic Archbishop, Pius Ncube, from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, answers a question at a news conference in Johannesburg, South Africa Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Ncube has slammed Zimbabwean president Robert... (Associated Press)

President Robert Mugabe is seen at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007. Thousands of war veterans marched in the streets of Harare in an effort to show solidarity with President... (Associated Press)

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Archbishop Pius Ncube Calls For Mugabe to Resign (mabonakude (YouTube))

Mugabe threatens members of the opposition with violence. (StopMugabe (YouTube))

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Mugabe Critic Quits Over Sex Scandal