A CHILDREN'S rights lawyer was yesterday appointed the legal guardian to 56 unaccompanied Zimbabwean minors living at the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg.

"Following my appointment by the South Gauteng High Court this morning, I wish to state that I see my role as a neutral one," Dr Ann Skelton, from the Centre for Child Law, said in statement. "I will work closely with all the relevant parties that have been involved thus far." A report on recommendations regarding steps to be taken in the best interests of the children would be compiled by February 8."I will, of course, meet with and consider the views of the children," she said.

The Legal Resources Centre, the Aids Law Project and the church's Bishop Paul Verryn applied to the court last month to have a curator appointed.

The application followed on­going wrangles between the church and the Gauteng government, which accused Verryn of refusing to co-operate with social workers who had wanted to move the chil­dren of Zimbabwean refugees to proper homes and shelters.

Earlier, an interim order was issued preventing anyone from removing the children, pending the outcome of the application.

According to earlier media reports, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa said Verryn had allegedly acted unilaterally in launching the application. The church said it allowed only the pre­siding bishop or the church's gen­eral secretary to bring an applica­tion before a court.

"Bishop Paul Verryn has acted unilaterally and without the sup­port of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa," said the church's head, Ivan Abrahams.

In March, Gauteng Local Government MEC Qedani Mahlangu said the refugees should not be allowed to stay at the church. "I think (Verryn) is exposing them to more danger. We are not condoning what he is doing. We condemn it," she said.

The Gauteng Legislature's health and social development port­folio committee also called for the closure of the church, calling it a time-bomb and saying conditions were a health hazard.

Following a visit there in Oct­ober, chairwoman Molebatsi Bopape said: "Children are being exposed to abuse, and babies are sleeping on the floor. The place is so filthy that we couldn't even breathe."

Last month, the government said it was considering taking court action to remove children from the church.

The Democratic Alliance wel­comed Skelton's appointment. MPL Jack Bloom said: "I hope this helps to resolve the problems that have bedevilled a solution to the plight of these children. Dr Skelton needs to restore trust between all the parties so that the children can be relocated to more suitable premises without fear that their rights will be neg­lected or that they will be deported. It is important that they get an edu­cation and are protected."

Sapa