This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7352404.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
S Africa's Zimbabwe role attacked S Africa's Zimbabwe role attacked
(30 minutes later)
Zimbabwe's opposition has called on South African President Thabo Mbeki to stand down as a mediator in the wake of the elections crisis.Zimbabwe's opposition has called on South African President Thabo Mbeki to stand down as a mediator in the wake of the elections crisis.
Opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said Mr Mbeki, who the MDC has accused of failing to pressure President Robert Mugabe, should be "relieved of duty".Opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said Mr Mbeki, who the MDC has accused of failing to pressure President Robert Mugabe, should be "relieved of duty".
Mr Tsvangirai also said the UN should consider an international crimes court to try rights abuses in Zimbabwe.Mr Tsvangirai also said the UN should consider an international crimes court to try rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe's government earlier accused Mr Tsvangirai of treason.Zimbabwe's government earlier accused Mr Tsvangirai of treason.
'Orgy of violence''Orgy of violence'
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says it won the election outright. Mr Tsvangirai says he won the recent presidential election outright. The results have not been published.
He told a news conference in Johannesburg: "We want to thank President Mbeki for all of his efforts but President Mbeki needs to be relieved of his duties."He told a news conference in Johannesburg: "We want to thank President Mbeki for all of his efforts but President Mbeki needs to be relieved of his duties."
Thabo Mbeki has defended his role on Zimbabwe Hundreds of opposition supporters have been displaced in Zimbabwe
Mr Tsvangirai said he had called on the regional Southern African Development Community, under the chairmanship of Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, to lead a new mediation effort.Mr Tsvangirai said he had called on the regional Southern African Development Community, under the chairmanship of Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, to lead a new mediation effort.
"I have made a specific request to President Mwanawasa to say that he needs to lead a new initiative, given the extraordinary situation we are facing. An initiative that will expand beyond President Mbeki," Mr Tsvangirai said. "I have made a specific request to President Mwanawasa to say that he needs to lead a new initiative... that will expand beyond President Mbeki," Mr Tsvangirai said.
He said Mr Mugabe had "unleashed an orgy of violence against the people".He said Mr Mugabe had "unleashed an orgy of violence against the people".
Mr Tsvangirai suggested a UN crimes court similar to those in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"As I speak, our people are being murdered, homes burned, children molested, women raped," he said.
Mr Tsvangirai has previously said there should be no "witch hunt" against Mr Mugabe.
President Mbeki had defended his record on Zimbabwe at the UN in New York on Wednesday.President Mbeki had defended his record on Zimbabwe at the UN in New York on Wednesday.
It is clear from the correspondence that Tsvangirai along with Brown are seeking regime change in Zimbabwe Patrick Chinamasa,Zimbabwe Justice Minister
Mr Mbeki met President Mugabe last Saturday and afterwards said there was "no crisis" in Zimbabwe. He defended those remarks in New York, saying dialogue was essential.Mr Mbeki met President Mugabe last Saturday and afterwards said there was "no crisis" in Zimbabwe. He defended those remarks in New York, saying dialogue was essential.
"The solution to the problem of Zimbabwe lies in the hands of the people of Zimbabwe," he said."The solution to the problem of Zimbabwe lies in the hands of the people of Zimbabwe," he said.
It is clear from the correspondence that Tsvangirai along with Brown are seeking regime change in Zimbabwe Patrick Chinamasa,Zimbabwe Justice Minister
Earlier on Thursday, South Africa urged Zimbabwe's electoral commission to release the results of last month's presidential election.Earlier on Thursday, South Africa urged Zimbabwe's electoral commission to release the results of last month's presidential election.
South African spokesman Themba Maseko told the BBC there was a fear the situation in Zimbabwe could deteriorate because the results had not been released.South African spokesman Themba Maseko told the BBC there was a fear the situation in Zimbabwe could deteriorate because the results had not been released.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission says it cannot release the results until it investigates anomalies - a partial recount takes place this weekend.The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission says it cannot release the results until it investigates anomalies - a partial recount takes place this weekend.
Mr Tsvangirai said: "The regime is conditioning people to believe there's a run-off. There's no run-off because we won this election decisively."Mr Tsvangirai said: "The regime is conditioning people to believe there's a run-off. There's no run-off because we won this election decisively."
The call for election results to be published was echoed on Thursday by the G8 group of major industrialised countries, the European Union and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The call for election results to be published was echoed on Thursday by the G8 group of major industrialised countries, the European Union and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who said Zimbabwe had become an "abomination".
"It's time for Africa to step up," Ms Rice said. "Where is the concern from the African Union and from Zimbabwe's neighbours about what is going on Zimbabwe?" "It's time for Africa to step up," Ms Rice said. "Where is the concern from the African Union and from Zimbabwe's neighbours about what is going on in Zimbabwe?"
'Regime change''Regime change'
Zimbabwe's government has meanwhile stepped up its campaign against Mr Tsvangirai.Zimbabwe's government has meanwhile stepped up its campaign against Mr Tsvangirai.
Hundreds of opposition supporters have been displaced in Zimbabwe
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa alleged he was working with Britain to bring about "regime change".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 has been acquitted. Thabo Mbeki has defended his role on Zimbabwe
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 state-controlled Herald newspaper accused Mr Tsvangirai of approaching the UK government to discuss possible military intervention.
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.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.
"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."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, said the allegations were "outrageous". Mr Tsvangirai said the allegations were "outrageous".
"We are determined to have democratic change through democratic means," he said."We are determined to have democratic change through democratic means," he said.
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.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.
The officials said South Africa could not interfere in a trade deal between two nations but only ensure proper procedures were followed.The officials said South Africa could not interfere in a trade deal between two nations but only ensure proper procedures were followed.
Sanctions imposed by Western countries on Zimbabwe forbid the sale of weapons to the country.Sanctions imposed by Western countries on Zimbabwe forbid the sale of weapons to the country.