By Own Correspondent- A senior government official has revealed that plans are at an advanced stage to compensate victims of the August 1 post election violence as recommended by the former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe led Commission of Inquiry.

Permanent Secretary in the Justice Ministry Virginia Mabhiza denied claims that government had ignored the recommendations made by the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry.

The Commission recommended among other things, that the government identifies and punishes the soldiers who killed civilians in cold blood as well as compensating the victims of the shootings.

Said Mabhiza:

“Remember, the President set a special task force of ministers to deal with these issues and we are already at an advanced level of dealing with these matters, including compensation of victims, security sector reforms and multi-party dialogue, which is already being implemented.

We have already started with the realignment of laws, and other issues have been discussed at the task force. You should know that things like compensation involve mobilising resources and this is why we have roped in the Ministry of Finance to assist us, but work is being done and the report has not been dumped.”-Newsday