Mbeki, leaders agree on Zim

2008-05-12 20:12

Pretoria - The Zimbabwean situation should be resolved as "speedily as possible", President Thabo Mbeki and religious leaders agreed on Monday.

Mbeki briefed members of the Presidential Religious Working group at the Union Buildings on his facilitation of the "resolution of the challenges" in Zimbabwe.

Speaking after the meeting, Ashwin Trikamjee, co-chair of the group, said it was the religious leaders' wish that the run-off election take place in a peaceful atmosphere.

"That is what we, as religious leaders, want; we want to ensure that the run-off that is due to take place, takes place in the same type of atmosphere as the last elections (March 29) took place - where everyone was sure that it was fairly free and fair," he said.

He said Mbeki told religious leaders that the South African team - consisting of former defence force generals - investigating the violence was speaking to victims and would report to him soon.

School pledge

Trikamjee said: "It is intended that once that report is received, they will take steps to ensure that the run-off takes place in as free and fair manner as possible."

Other issues that came up at the meeting included plans for Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngucka to lead a government team to investigate financial and other support to social development work undertaken by the religious sector.

The proposed school pledge was also discussed and the religious sector was told that a team of experts would be set up by the education department to analyse comments before finalising a draft to present to the cabinet.

Social crime-prevention plans whereby religious and other communities would work with police on a local level also were discussed.

Mbeki did not attend the post-meeting press conference.

- SAPA