Hundreds of Refugees Evicted from Johannesburg Church

Hundreds of refugees have lost their temporary home at a church in Johannesburg, South Africa, after a decision by church leadership. 

According to Christian Today, 400 Zimbabwean refugees were locked out of the Central Methodist Church when church leaders decided that the church could no longer serve as refugee housing. The church had previously held 30,000 refugees in a period of six years. 

Bishop Paul Verryn of the Central Methodist Church said that others have now reached out to the refugees offering places to stay. 

"People offering help were calling in from Bloemfontein, Welkom, Potchefstroom, among many places. The offer for help is incredible," he said.

Christian Today reports that the church was deteriorating from too many people living inside. Some refugees slept in stairwells and hallways and did not have proper hygiene facilities available. 

Publication date: January 6, 2015