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SA churches warn Zim parties
07/08/2008 16:23 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Violence in Zimbabwe could undermine the legitimacy of any agreement between the two parties unless it is curbed, the SA Council of Churches said.
"While encouraged by the increasing signs that the talks might soon lead to agreement, we are concerned over reports of persistently high levels of violence in that country. It could undermine the legitimacy of any political settlement reached," said SACC president Tinyiko Maluleke.
The council was pleased that Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change had at last managed to come to the negotiating table.
"But of what use is a political agreement when the people are living in the midst of death."
The council said it was especially alarmed by increasingly frequent reports of atrocities, including the hacking off of opponents' limbs. They urged leaders on both sides to appeal for peace and tolerance.
"Zimbabweans are suffering, they are dying and Robert Mugabe's government has the primary responsibility to act immediately and decisively to halt the violence," Maluleke said.
- SAPA
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