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Zim crisis taints Mbeki, boosts Zuma

South African President Thabo Mbeki's refusal to take a tougher line on neighbouring Zimbabwe has further damaged his credibility and handed rival Jacob Zuma another opening to improve his image. Regional leaders last year mandated Mbeki to lead mediation between President Robert Mugabe and the opposition.

Top Zim opposition figure arrested

The leader of a rebel faction of Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change became the most senior opposition politician to be arrested when he was held on Sunday over a written attack on President Robert Mugabe. Arthur Mutambara was picked up at his home in Harare, his party and lawyer said.

Mbeki 'no longer fit' to be Zim mediator

The Zimbabwean opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has told President Thabo Mbeki that he is no longer fit to serve as the region's mediator in Zimbabwe's political crisis owing to a "lack of neutrality", and that "there will be no country left" if Mbeki continues to side with President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe in Rome for food summit

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe flew into Rome for a global food summit on Sunday, his first official trip abroad since elections condemned by Western and opposition leaders as fraudulent. A British Foreign Office spokesperson said: "It is a matter of concern to us and we would prefer that he did not attend."

Zim: 70 held over attacks on Mugabe supporters

Zimbabwean police have arrested at least 70 suspects following attacks on liberation war veterans and ruling-party activists in the Buhera district, a state daily reported on Monday. "So far more than 70 suspects have been arrested in connection with the cases," police Deputy Commissioner General Levy Sibanda was quoted as saying by the Herald.

UK 'reviewing' Mugabe's honorary knighthood

Britain is "reviewing" Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's honorary knighthood, a government spokesperson said on Monday, amid reports that the first steps had been taken to revoke the title. On Monday, Channel 4 News television reported, without citing its sources, that the first steps had been taken to strip Mugabe of the knighthood.

Top Zim opposition figure released on bail

The leader of a rebel faction of Zimbabwe's main opposition party was freed on bail on Tuesday after his arrest over a written attack on President Robert Mugabe. A Harare court ordered Arthur Mutambara, head of a splinter faction of the Movement for Democratic Change, to pay Z$20-billion (about $30) and report to police each Friday.

'Mugabe will not transfer power to the winner'

Civil and human rights groups predicted more chaos after Zimbabwe's presidential run-off takes place, saying on Tuesday they do not believe President Robert Mugabe will step down if he loses. However, it is "critical" for the election to go ahead so a winner can emerge, said Gorden Moyo, from Bulawayo Agenda.

Mugabe defends land seizures

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, whose 28-year rule has brought widespread hunger to his country, on Tuesday defended the seizure of land from white farmers, saying he is undoing a legacy of Zimbabwe's former colonial masters. Mugabe spoke to world leaders at a United Nations summit on the global food crisis against a backdrop of sharp criticism over his participation.

Piercing the Mbeki shield

On the surface, South Africa's assumption of the presidency of the United Nations Security Council earlier this month has no relevance for the Zimbabwe electoral crisis. Desperate Zimbabweans could call for help from the UN, but this call comes when South Africa is gatekeeper at the Security Council.