SA bishops mull sex-abuse claims

Pretoria, 24 Sept-(ANA)-Methodist bishops in South Africa have met to decide what action to take over claims that Zimbabwean children have been abused while in the church's care.

Some 20 children have been removed from Johannesburg's Central Methodist Church - a centre housing hundreds of Zimbabwean refugees.

The bishops say they are taking the claims seriously and have not yet said whether the facility will remain open.

Prosecutors say the police are investigating the claims.

The church has huge symbolic importance as it housed activists during South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle - and the sex-abuse allegation have been widely reported across the country.

The bishops have been meeting in the south-eastern province of Kwa-Zulu Natal in the last few days to see how the problem can be solved.

It emerged last week that 20 children have been taken to a place of shelter after reporting that they had been sexually abused. (ANA)

FA/ANA/24 September 2009---