State-run media hails resignation of Zimbabwe archbishop

State-run media today said Zimbabwe’s Roman Catholic archbishop had been forced to resign in disgrace because of a sex scandal, keeping up the government’s campaign of criticism of an outspoken foe of President Robert Mugabe.

Pius Ncube himself had said nothing about the scandal in a statement which made his resignation public a day earlier.

Ncube said he had resigned to spare his church further attacks by the government, but that he would continue to champion the poor and oppressed in Zimbabwe.

The Herald, a state-run newspaper that reflects the government line, called Ncube’s statement “face-saving” in its front-page lead article today.