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S Africa joins Zimbabwe vote call S Africa joins Zimbabwe vote call
(about 1 hour later)
South Africa has joined international calls for Zimbabwe's electoral commission to release the results of last month's presidential election.South Africa has joined international calls for Zimbabwe's electoral commission to release the results of last month's presidential election.
A South African government spokesman said they should be published as soon as possible.A South African government spokesman said they should be published as soon as possible.
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is mediating in Zimbabwe's crisis but has been accused of failing to put pressure on Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. South African President Thabo Mbeki is mediating in Zimbabwe's crisis but has been accused of failing to put pressure on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
The opposition MDC says it won the election outright.The opposition MDC says it won the election outright.
Government spokesman Themba Maseko told the BBC there was a fear that the situation in Zimbabwe could deteriorate because the results of the presidential poll had not been released. South African spokesman Themba Maseko told the BBC there was a fear that the situation in Zimbabwe could deteriorate because the results of the presidential poll had not been released.
"It is our view that all the participants should come together, sort out all the causes of the delay, and then release the results as a matter of urgency," he said."It is our view that all the participants should come together, sort out all the causes of the delay, and then release the results as a matter of urgency," he said.
When asked whether South Africa still adhered to a policy of "quiet diplomacy" in dealings with Zimbabwe, Mr Maseko said that South Africa's position had not "been coming out as clearly as it should." Quiet diplomacy
When asked whether South Africa still adhered to a policy of "quiet diplomacy" in dealings with Zimbabwe, Mr Maseko said that South Africa's position had not "been coming out as clearly as it should".
But Mr Maseko said he took heart from the fact that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had received representations from both the ruling Zanu-PF and the MDC.
The election commission says it cannot release the results until it investigates anomalies - a partial recount is to take place this weekend.
The South African statement came a day after President Mbeki defended his record on Zimbabwe at the United Nations in New York.
Mr Mbeki, who has been urged by Western nations to do more to end the crisis in South Africa's neighbour, had said there was "no crisis" in Zimbabwe after meeting Mr Mugabe on Saturday.
He defended those remarks in New York, saying dialogue was essential to bring about a resolution to the situation in Zimbabwe.
"The solution to the problem of Zimbabwe lies in the hands of the people of Zimbabwe," he said.
"In our engagement with the situation, we needed to talk continuously at all times with both the ruling party and the opposition."
'Treason'
Zimbabwe's government has meanwhile stepped up its campaign against opposition MDC leader and presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai, by accusing him of treason.
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa alleged he was working with Britain to bring about "regime change".
Mr Tsvangirai has previously been put on trial for treason but acquitted. He said the charges were political.
Mr Chinamasa's comments came as the state-controlled Herald newspaper accused Mr Tsvangirai of approaching the UK government to discuss possible military intervention.
The paper said the details were contained in a "memorandum of understanding" between the Movement for Democratic Change leader and "various right-wing groups" in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Riot police have been out in force amid rising tensions across the country
The Herald also said it had details of a letter from UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to Mr Tsvangirai assuring him that Britain had lobbied southern African leaders to hold an urgent summit on Zimbabwe and that London would impose more sanctions on the country.
"It is clear from the correspondence that Tsvangirai along with Brown are seeking regime change in Zimbabwe, and on the part of Tsvangirai. This is treasonous," Mr Chinamasa is quoted as saying.
Mr Tsvangirai, who is based in Botswana for the moment, and the UK government have not responded to the allegations, but the Herald quotes MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa as disowning the document and accusing the Zanu-PF government of trying to smear the opposition.
Mr Tsvangirai has always dismissed government charges that he is working for the UK and white Zimbabweans, trying to reverse President Mugabe's land redistribution.
We have disturbing and confirmed reports of threats, beatings, abductions, burning of homes and even murder, from many parts of the country US Ambassador James McGee
In a separate move, the G8 group of major industrialised countries has called for the official results to be published.
Foreign ministers issued a statement urging a speedy, credible and genuinely democratic resolution to the crisis in Zimbabwe.
Only hours later, the European Union joined calls for publication of the results.
European Commission spokesman John Clancy said: "Clearly the publication of the results is needed and it's needed now. Further delays are unacceptable."
Violence
The MDC accuses security forces backed by Zanu-PF of intimidating voters in the run-up to a second round.
Reports of violence towards opposition supporters were supported on Thursday by the US ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee.
In a statement to Zimbabweans on the eve of Independence Day, he said: "We have disturbing and confirmed reports of threats, beatings, abductions, burning of homes and even murder, from many parts of the country."
MDC spokesman Mr Chamisa said on Wednesday more than 50 people had been arrested in townships around the capital, Harare and Bulawayo during a strike called by the opposition.
Police have accused the MDC of trying to incite violence with their strike call.
Police reported arresting 30 MDC supporters for obstruction and intimidation, apparently including Chitungwiza MP Marvelous Khumalo.
Meanwhile, South African officials have confirmed to the BBC that a Chinese ship anchored off the port of Durban does contain arms destined for Zimbabwe.
It has now been authorised to unload its cargo after obtaining customs clearance.
Sanctions imposed by Western countries on Zimbabwe forbid the sale of weapons to the country.
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