Call for 'reconciling leadership'
2010-04-05 11:37
Johannesburg - The SACC and Sanco on Monday called for political parties to show strong leadership following the murder of Eugene Terre'Blanche two days ago.
"We call upon other political leaders to step forward and provide the reconciling leadership that is necessary for the country at this time.
"Such leadership will exclude inflammatory speeches or songs which have potential to plunge the country into a cycle of violence," said SA Council of Churches (SACC) general secretary, Eddie Makue.
He sent his organisation's condolences to the relatives and friends of AWB leader Terre'Blanche.
"We are shocked by the murder of Mr Terre'Blanche and we condemn it and reject any and all attempts to justify this act," he said in a statement.
Makue said the murder of Terre'Blanche has the potential to create divisions and conflict that might divide the nation and destroy the reconciliation gains made since 1994.
He praised President Jacob Zuma, General Bheki Cele and Police Minister, Nathi Mthethwa for their positive responses to the murder, and encouraged other political leaders to follow suit.
'Everybody should stay calm'
The SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) condemned the murder and called for calm.
"We are concerned and condemn the callous and brutal murder of the man who was on the mend of his ways of being a patriotic leader," Sanco spokesperson Dumisane Mthalane said in a statement.
"We call upon our people to desist from such criminality irrespective of the nature of incitement.
"Everybody should stay calm and allow the security agents to complete the necessary work.
"We call upon our leaders to exercise extreme restraint from making inflammatory comment that have the potential to incite violence and lawlessness," he said.
"We need to provide top class leadership to all our members during times of difficulties."
Sanco further called for a national resolve to fight all crime and said the murder of Terre'Blanche should strengthen the resolve to end farm related killings and all crimes in the country.
Two of Terre'Blanche's farm workers, aged 15 and 28, have been arrested in connection with his murder, which they allegedly confessed to and said was motivated by a salary dispute.
- SAPA
