The Central Committee of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) yesterday expressed its support for the continuing efforts to ensure peace and stability in Zimbabwe and called on the South African government to be more pro-active in its efforts to facilitate a resolution of Zimbabwe's crisis.

Representatives of the Council's 24 member denominations welcomed the renewed communication between the government of Zimbabwe and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). They recognised, in particular, the Zimbabwean churches' united witness for peace and human rights. The Central Committee expressed concern for and solidarity with the churches in Zimbabwe, and made the resources of the SACC's Reconciliation and Healing programme available to support the peace process.

The Central Committee also acknowledged the efforts of the South African government to promote peace and stability in Zimbabwe. At the same time, however, the delegates urged Pretoria to be more pro-active in working for a just and sustainable solution to the nation's political and humanitarian crises.

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