More arrests in Zim as Tsvangirai prepares return

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's government intensified a crackdown against its political opponents on Monday, as the leader of the opposition prepared to return home to contest a run-off election. Journalists, union leaders and hundreds of political activists have been arrested since general elections in March.

Mbeki 'ignored judges' on Zim's 2002 poll

President Thabo Mbeki's role as a mediator in the Zimbabwean crisis took another knock after disclosures that he ignored the advice of two judges he commissioned to observe that country's 2002 general elections. Mbeki commissioned judges Sisi Khampepe and Dikgang Moseneke to observe the controversial Zimbabwean election in 2002.

Zim rejects Western poll observers

Zimbabwe will not invite election observers from Western countries to monitor a presidential run-off unless they remove sanctions, state media said on Monday. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said Zimbabwe would not bow to pressure to invite election monitors from Western countries and the United Nations.

Zim braces for new elections amid violence

Zimbabwe braced on Sunday for the return home of the country's opposition leader, who has vowed to face veteran President Robert Mugabe in a run-off election despite the risk of further violence. Morgan Tsvangirai, who beat Mugabe in a first round of voting in March, is expected in Harare in the next few days.

MDC to contest run-off against Mugabe

The leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition group said on Saturday he would contest a run-off against Robert Mugabe after disputed elections on March 29. But Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he would only participate in the run-off if international observers and media had full access to ensure the poll is free and fair.

Rice seeks African insight to help end Zim crisis

United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke on Friday with African leaders and former United Nations chief Kofi Annan for their insight into how to end Zimbabwe's election crisis, her spokesperson said. Rice spoke to Botswana President Ian Khama, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.

Mbeki in Zim to discuss disputed poll

Regional mediator and South African President Thabo Mbeki arrived in Zimbabwe on Friday for talks on the country's disputed elections ahead of a possible run-off that has raised concerns of further violence. The South African leader's "quiet diplomacy" approach towards the crisis in Zimbabwe has triggered criticism at home and abroad.

Zimbabwe opposition rejects presidential run-off

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will not participate in a presidential run-off against Robert Mugabe, a top party official said on Thursday, after reports of escalating violence deepened a post-election crisis. The MDC believes its leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the outright majority in the March 29 election.

Zimbabwe lawyer, editor arrested

The editor of an independent newspaper and a prominent human rights lawyer have been arrested, and Zimbabwe's largest farm union said on Thursday that 40 000 farm workers have been displaced in post-election violence. Davison Maruziva, editor of the Standard newspaper, was taken by police from the newspaper's offices on Thursday.

Pressure mounts on Zim amid violence

Pressure mounted on the Zimbabwe government on Thursday to admit foreign observers to oversee a presidential election run-off amid fresh claims that pro-government militias were instilling terror in communities in the countryside. Meanwhile, there was still no word on when a second round should take place.

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