Humanitarian award for archbishop

Archbishop Ncube has been an outspoken critic of Mugabe's regime

A Zimbabwean archbishop has received a humanitarian award in memory of Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Archbishop Pius Ncube dedicated the Robert Burns International Humanitarian Award to Zimbabweans who are persecuted in their country.

He has been critical of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe's regime.

He was given the award ahead of the McCartney sisters, who have campaigned for justice since their brother Robert was murdered in Belfast in January.

'Struggle continues'

Others shortlisted were Romeo Dallaire, who led the UN peacekeeping force in Rwanda; businessman and philanthropist Tom Hunter; and Glasgow minister John Miller, who worked with poor people in the Castlemilk area of the city.

Archbishop Ncube said on Friday: "I feel from the bottom of my heart that I don't deserve this award but I accept it on behalf of those in Zimbabwe whose suffering is unabated and whose struggle continues."

His criticism of the Zimbabwean government has prompted death threats from the Zimbabwean security service.

The church leader was presented with the honour at a gala concert at Culzean Castle, Ayrshire.