South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, has thrown his weight behind Zimbabwean churches’ initiative to broker dialogue between the country’s political leaders.
This was revealed by the chairperson of the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa (FOCCISA), Kenneth Mtata following the organisation’s meeting with Ramaphosa in Pretoria on Monday. Said Mtata:
He (Ramaphosa) recognised with appreciation the efforts of the churches in finding a lasting solution through dialogue.
He said his government would support such initiatives towards a lasting solution.
He said that he was aware of the famine, doctors’ industrial action, the fuel queues and broader social challenges.
He said that he was committed to making sure that his government would support solutions towards a lasting solution.
Mtata, who is also the secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), has been advocating for dialogue between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his rival, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa.
However, Zimbabwe’s churches are divided on the most favourable platform for a national dialogue with a member of the Inter-Denominational Council of Churches, Andrew Wutaunashe saying that there is no debate about Mnangagwa’s legitimacy and Chamisa has to accept that.