President Thabo Mbeki has reiterated his call for traditional leaders to refrain from making threats of violence in resolving the issue of their role, saying the draft White Paper on the issue was there to provide guidance.

Speaking in Parliament today, President Mbeki urged everyone to get involved in a manner that sought to take the country forward, driven by the desire to develop and improve the lives of the communities they served.

'In this context it is important that we avoid any confrontational posture, understanding that whatever needs to be resolved will be concluded through an inclusive dialogue and not through one party threatening all others with violence,' he said.

He warned that government would not hesitate to use law enforcement bodies to protect South Africans from people with ulterior motives.

'Apart from the fact that the law enforcement authorities will act vigorously to protect lives and property against anybody who decides to use force to advance his or her goals,' the President said.

He added that it was time that 'all of us outgrow the period in our history when resorting to violence to attain political objectives resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives'.

He referred to the issue of traditional leadership as 'outstanding' and ought to be resolved to ensure that 'people, wherever they may be, are able to participate fully in the exciting transformation processes that are changing our country for the better'.

President Mbeki's call follows reported threats by certain traditional leaders expressing discontent at the recently released White Paper on the functions of traditional leaders in the democratic dispensation.

Last month, local government minister Sydney Mufamadi released the Cabinet- approved document, which contained government's preliminary policy position on a range of issues relating to the role and powers of leaders, for public comment.

It is expected to be tabled in Parliament early next year before being passed into law by June.

During the release of the paper, Minister Mufamadi indicated that the paper was not government's final stance on the matter, but that the public had a chance to shape the envisaged law on the powers and roles of leaders in the country's 284 councils.

'This will give the public the final opportunity to impact on the thinking of government,' the minister said then -BuaNews.