JOHANNESBURG (AFP) — A South African Anglican bishop has likened Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to Hitler because of the deaths and atrocities committed by the government under his rule, media reported Friday.
"Mugabe must be viewed as the 21st century Hitler because of the deaths and suffering of Zimbabweans under his rule," Bishop Joe Seoka told The Times newspaper.
The 85-year-old leader should be tried by the International Court of Justice in The Hague for his crimes.
Seoka urged South African churches to use December 16, a national public holiday, to mark a day of reconciliation to pray for Mugabe's forced removal from power.
"He must be removed by all means necessary, to stop the further suffering of God's children and save lives in that country," he said.
Zimbabwe is gripped by a political and economic crisis which has led to chronic food and fuel shortages, with nearly half the population needing emergency food aid.
The situation has been compounded by a cholera outbreak four weeks ago which has claimed 783 lives, according to latest UN figures.
But on Thursday, Mugabe stunned the world when he claimed that there was no cholera in the country, a week after the country declared the epidemic a national emergency.
The water-borne disease has spilled into neighbouring South Africa, with the border town of Musina being declared a disaster area by local health authorities.
So far 10 deaths have been reported in Musina.
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