Cape Town — Under fire for failing to speak out on human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, the South African government Tuesday night issued a cautiously-worded appeal for its neighbour to respect the rule of law.

In a statement issued in Pretoria, Aziz Pahad, the deputy foreign minister, also called on Zimbabwean opposition leaders to help create "a climate that is conducive to finding a lasting solution" to the crisis there.

Earlier Tuesday, both the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the official opposition in Parliament were reported to have criticised the government's policy, which they view as too lenient towards the government of Zimbabwe.

Cosatu Secretary-General Zwelinzima Vavi said the suppression of a rally in Harare on Sunday and subsequent assaults on opposition leaders by Zimbabwean police showed that South Africa's policy of "silent diplomacy" had not worked.

Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon was quoted as saying President Thabo Mbeki had "all but given up trying to resolve the conflict" in Zimbabwe.

Pahad said that "current difficulties are symptomatic of the broader political and economic challenges facing Zimbabwe." He added that South Africa views dialogue among the main political protagonists as the only way to achieve a lasting solution. "Pursuant to this objective, South Africa urges the Zimbabwean Government to ensure that the rule of law, including respect for rights of all Zimbabweans and leaders of various political parties, is respected," he said.

"Similarly, we appeal to leaders of opposition political parties to work towards a climate that is conducive to finding a lasting solution to the current challenges faced by the people of Zimbabwe," Pahad said.