SA crisis team ready for Zimbabwe election

The Zimbabwean elections were largely peaceful

A crisis team comprising officials from various government departments has been established as part of contingency plans to deal with any crisis that might arise from Zimbabwe's elections at the weekend.

The officials have secured a place around Musina in Limpopo for the accommodation of about 3000 people - should the situation turn ugly.

The Musina Municipality has held talks with members of the SA Police, Home Affairs and business community to look into what needs to be done around the town and its border.

Shelter and medication will be provided
Municipal spokesperson Wilson Dzebu, says: "We have agreed that we must have a temporary place where we can give them shelter, medication and proper care in terms of emergency.

Spokesperson for the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, Father Chris Townsend, says his church is also putting contingency plans in place around Musina and Louis Trichardt.

Townsend says they have organised with a number local churches to be ready for any eventuality in terms of humanitarian assistance. He says the church and other stakeholders will make available accommodation, blankets and sanitary facilities. "We have identified a number of spots where we already have a community service situation, churches and clinics in Limpopo province that we are prepared to use to increase our response."

Townsend added: "If need be we already have a feeding scheme that we can add to, we are not going to set up tents or anything like that but we are going to be here to respond in a human way in what could be a human problem."