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Zimbabwe: SA Religious Groups Voice Concern Over Violence
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
12 May 2008
Posted to the web 12 May 2008
Bathandwa Mbola
Pretoria
The Presidential Religious Working Group and President Thabo Mbeki have noted with concern the current violence in Zimbabwe.
The group met with President Mbeki at the Union Buildings, on Monday.
Briefing the media, Co-Chairman of the group, Ashwin Trikamjee said the group hoped that the election run-off took place in a peaceful environment.
"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 [29 March] took place, where everyone was sure that it was fairly free and fair," he told reporters.
Mr Trikamjee said President Mbeki had briefed the religious leaders about the role of South Africa as a facilitator in Zimbabwe.
"The President told us that the South African team consisting of former defence force generals are in Zimbabwe speaking to victims and investigating the violence. "
The team would then report back to President Mbeki and make recommendations on what could be done to address the violence before the run-off.
"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 a manner as possible," Mr Trikamjee said.
Furthermore, the group noted various concrete initiatives that were being embarked upon to improve the lives of South Africans but noted that these initiatives needed to be speeded up.
These included the Early Childhood Development programme, social, housing, community and home based care and skills development initiatives.
"In this regard, it was agreed that the Deputy President [Phumzile Malambo-Ngcuka] will lead a government team to examine the financial, human and other resources necessary for practical support to social development work being undertaken by the religious sector," Mr Trikamjee said.
The meeting also reflected on the Memorandum of Understanding between religious leaders and government.
The memorandum is anchored on building a caring, democratic and equitable society through partnerships between the state and the religious sector.
The group, Mr Trikamjee said, was also briefed on the developments regarding the implementation of the Schools Pledge Initiative.
The pledge which has attracted comments from various sectors of society will support nation building and individual commitment to positive values in the youth.
"The department [of Education] will soon set up a professional team of expects to analyse the comments after which leaders of various sectors will be consulted in finalising a draft that will be served before Cabinet," he said.
The group, Mr Trikamjee said, gave the President a progress report on the Social Crime Prevention Initiative which involves partnerships between the religious groups and government to combat and prevent crimes at local level.
The campaign entails practical initiatives between religious leaders and local police stations to identify trends in crime, mobilse communities to act together in identifying and apprehending perpetrators while utilising religious infrastructure as counselling centres for victims of crime.
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The President is scheduled to meet with other Presidential Working Groups this week.
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