The South African Cabinet on Tuesday said it was extremely concerned over the unfolding violence in Zimbabwe, but repeated that helping solve that country’s problems had to be through dialogue.
Briefing the media at Parliament after the executive’s fortnightly meeting, government communications head Themba Maseko said government’s primary worry at this stage was the reported abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe.
”We are extremely concerned, particularly about the violence that is unfolding in our neighbour country.
”The need for dialogue is absolutely essential because we believe that violence from any quarters is not a viable solution to the problems that are experienced in Zimbabwe.
”We will continue working with all stakeholders, particularly the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, in trying to get all the parties to sit around a table to address the problems that are facing that nation,” Maseko told journalists.
He said the government was in contact with ”key players” in Zimbabwe.
”We do not agree with the view that says the time for dialogue is past. In fact, the time for dialogue is now more than ever before.”
Such dialogue was needed as a matter of great urgency.
”We need to continue extensive interaction between our government and the government of Zimbabwe. There needs to be extensive interaction and consultation with other heads of state in the region to try to impress upon the government of Zimbabwe, and the opposition parties, to sit around a table as a matter of absolute urgency.”
Asked if the opposition Movement for Democratic Change in Zimbabwe had called on the South African government for help, Maseko said: ”If there is a particular request from the opposition parties to this government, I’m personally not ware of such a request.”
The government believed a diplomatic solution could be found.
”We think it is possible, even in the Zimbabwean situation, to reach a point in the near future where both parties will be willing to say the situation is getting out of hand, let’s sit around a table,” Maseko said. — Sapa