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/7712564.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
SA's 'tough stance' on Zimbabwe Zimbabwe attacks 'kill dialogue'
(about 8 hours later)
South Africa will take a tough stance at this weekend's summit to ensure a deal is reached to end Zimbabwe's crisis, a government spokesman says. Renewed violence has ended hopes of negotiating an end to Zimbabwe's political crisis, the country's main opposition party has said.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) blamed President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party for an "orgy of brutality" across Zimbabwe.
The statement came ahead of regional talks in South Africa on Zimbabwe's political stalemate.
South Africa has said it will take a tough stance at the weekend summit.
A South African government spokesman said the host country wanted to ensure a deal is reached.
"The failure of the parties to agree is something that is becoming a major political hindrance to the stability that we desire," said Themba Maseko."The failure of the parties to agree is something that is becoming a major political hindrance to the stability that we desire," said Themba Maseko.
Southern African leaders are meeting in South Africa after recent talks failed to break the deadlock. But the MDC said Zanu-PF violence had "unleashed a new orgy of brutality and assaults across the whole country".
"In short Zanu-PF killed the dialogue despite the hopes, patience and expectations of the people of Zimbabwe."
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told AFP that party leader Morgan Tsvangirai would still attend the talks, but that the violence showed Mr Mugabe's lack of sincerity.
Southern African leaders are meeting after recent talks failed to break the deadlock.
The government and opposition cannot agree on sharing cabinet posts.The government and opposition cannot agree on sharing cabinet posts.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed a deal to share power in September, after disputed elections. Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai signed a deal to share power in September, after disputed elections.
But Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says President Mugabe and his party, Zanu-PF, are trying to grab all the most important ministries. But Mr Tsvangirai's MDC says President Mugabe and his party, Zanu-PF, are trying to grab all the most important ministries.
The key sticking point at the latest round of talks was control of the home affairs ministry, which is responsible for the police.The key sticking point at the latest round of talks was control of the home affairs ministry, which is responsible for the police.
"It's government's view that the heads of state must now take urgent steps to make sure political solutions are found," Mr Maseko said, reports the AFP news agency."It's government's view that the heads of state must now take urgent steps to make sure political solutions are found," Mr Maseko said, reports the AFP news agency.
President Mugabe's government has published a gazette, giving the ministries of defence to justice Zanu-PF.President Mugabe's government has published a gazette, giving the ministries of defence to justice Zanu-PF.
But he has reportedly agreed to let the MDC have the finance portfolio.But he has reportedly agreed to let the MDC have the finance portfolio.
Under the deal, Mr Tsvangirai would become prime minister in a new government, tasked with ending the country's economic crisis.Under the deal, Mr Tsvangirai would become prime minister in a new government, tasked with ending the country's economic crisis.
Zimbabwe is facing severe food shortages and rampant inflation.Zimbabwe is facing severe food shortages and rampant inflation.
A spokesman for South Africa's government said Sunday's summit would also discuss recent fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sunday's summit is also expected to discuss recent fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.