Zuma 'alarmed and anxious'

2008-06-10 13:17

Johannesburg - The ANC is "alarmed and anxious" about reports of violence emanating from Zimbabwe in the weeks leading to a presidential run-off vote, ANC president Jacob Zuma said in India on Tuesday.

"We are alarmed and anxious about the reports of violence. If these are accurate, the violence surely puts enormous strain on the preparations for the presidential election run-off that should be held towards the end of this month," Zuma said in a speech prepared for delivery in New Delhi.

Present for the signing of a party-to-party agreement between the ANC and the Indian National Congress, Zuma said: "We cannot rest until the situation is resolved, as it affects all of us. We want to see the return of peace and stability in Zimbabwe as speedily as possible.

He welcomed an undertaking by government to "crack down" on those responsible for the violence and trusted that Zanu-PF would work with relevant parties to ensure free political activity leading to the run-off on June 27.

Improved quality of life

Zuma said stability in the region would greatly enhance the quest for sustainable economic development and lead to an improvement in the quality of life.

The memorandum of understanding signed by Zuma and the Indian National Congress would provide for formal co-operation between the ANC Women's League, Youth League and trade union movement.

Areas of collaboration are to include employment, generation schemes, health and food security issues, formation of self-help groups, micro-credit, gender empowerment and legal training for women.

Zuma said the ANC would also like to compare notes on minimising the social impact of the "global economic meltdown on our peoples".

Turning to recent xenophobic attacks in SA, Zuma said that while the party conceded that "some remedial action" is needed in the implementation of immigration laws, and service delivery, the attacks could not be justified.

- SAPA