CWN.org - Cholera is spreading rapidly in the southern African nation of Zimbabwe.

More than 700 people have died so far.

The epidemic is blamed on a crumbling health care system and lack of clean water, and there's fear of it spreading to neighboring countries.

More than 16,000 cases have been reported, but Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe insists the epidemic is under control.

He says the disease is being used as an excuse to bring down the government.

Africa's largest Christian organization says it is praying for an end to what it called Mugabe's illegitimate rule.

The All Africa Conference of Churches met in neighboring Mozambique this week.

Some delegates suggested writing a letter to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown asking him to intervene.