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/7745459.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Zimbabwe situation is 'critical' Zimbabwe situation is 'critical'
(20 minutes later)
The leader of South Africa's governing party, Jacob Zuma, has described the situation in Zimbabwe as "critical".The leader of South Africa's governing party, Jacob Zuma, has described the situation in Zimbabwe as "critical".
The ANC leader said Zimbabwe was worse than a month ago and it was an urgent matter because people were dying.The ANC leader said Zimbabwe was worse than a month ago and it was an urgent matter because people were dying.
Mr Zuma was speaking in Johannesburg after meeting a group of prominent world leaders, known as Elders, who have been refused visas for Zimbabwe.Mr Zuma was speaking in Johannesburg after meeting a group of prominent world leaders, known as Elders, who have been refused visas for Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's rival political leaders are due to meet on Tuesday to salvage a power-sharing deal.Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's rival political leaders are due to meet on Tuesday to salvage a power-sharing deal.
South African President Kgalema Motlanthe said Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai would hold talks in South Africa.South African President Kgalema Motlanthe said Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai would hold talks in South Africa.
Strong wordsStrong words
"The situation has gone (beyond) where we could say 'wait and see,'" said Mr Zuma, the president of the African National Congress. "The situation has gone [beyond] where we could say 'wait and see,'" said Mr Zuma, the president of the African National Congress.
It is now an urgent matter, people are dying Jacob ZumaANC leaderIt is now an urgent matter, people are dying Jacob ZumaANC leader
"We are pleading for the leadership (of the ruling party and opposition) for the sake of the people to find a solution that would help them move forward." "We are pleading for the leadership [of the ruling party and opposition] for the sake of the people to find a solution that would help them move forward."
Mr Zuma said the ANC would be sending a delegation to Zimbabwe to push for a political solution to the crisis.Mr Zuma said the ANC would be sending a delegation to Zimbabwe to push for a political solution to the crisis.
Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) are in a power-sharing stand-off following disputed presidential elections earlier this year. They have been unable to agree on who should fill key ministries. Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) are in a power-sharing stand-off following disputed presidential elections earlier this year.
They have agreed to form a government of national unity but been unable to agree on who should fill key ministries.
"Let us find a way to implement the agreement for the sake of Zimbabweans," he said. "We cannot stay with the agreement without implementing it. It is now an urgent matter, people are dying.""Let us find a way to implement the agreement for the sake of Zimbabweans," he said. "We cannot stay with the agreement without implementing it. It is now an urgent matter, people are dying."
These are some of his strongest words so far on the situation in Zimbabwe, the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says.These are some of his strongest words so far on the situation in Zimbabwe, the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says.
South Africa is the region's power-house, and, has led the way in efforts to find a resolution in Zimbabwe. Last week, it said it would withhold some $28m of aid until a representative government is formed.
Visa refusal South Africa is the region's power-house and has led the way in efforts to find a resolution in Zimbabwe.
African peacekeepers?
Mr Zuma described as an "unfortunate act" Zimbabwe's decision to refuse visas to former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, ex-US President Jimmy Carter and Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel, a human rights activist.Mr Zuma described as an "unfortunate act" Zimbabwe's decision to refuse visas to former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, ex-US President Jimmy Carter and Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel, a human rights activist.
They are part of a group called the Elders, set up to tackle world conflicts. The three said the sole aim of the trip had been to help people in Zimbabwe, and that they had no intention of becoming involved in any political negotiations.They are part of a group called the Elders, set up to tackle world conflicts. The three said the sole aim of the trip had been to help people in Zimbabwe, and that they had no intention of becoming involved in any political negotiations.
The 'Elders' will stay in South Africa to assess the situationThe 'Elders' will stay in South Africa to assess the situation
Mr Annan said Zimbabwe's government "made it very clear that it will not co-operate".Mr Annan said Zimbabwe's government "made it very clear that it will not co-operate".
A Zimbabwean official denied refusing them entry, but said there had been no "prior consultations" over the timing and programme of the proposed visit. He advised them to reschedule.A Zimbabwean official denied refusing them entry, but said there had been no "prior consultations" over the timing and programme of the proposed visit. He advised them to reschedule.
Reacting to the news, Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday called for African Union peacekeepers to be deployed to Zimbabwe, saying "there is no legitimate government in Zimbabwe".Reacting to the news, Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday called for African Union peacekeepers to be deployed to Zimbabwe, saying "there is no legitimate government in Zimbabwe".
"The fact that Mugabe was a freedom fighter does not give him rights to own Zimbabwe and hang on to power," said Mr Odinga.
Mr Annan helped broker a power-sharing agreement in Kenya, which saw Mr Odinga named prime minister.
Aid groups say Zimbabwe is facing a major humanitarian crisis, with nearly half the population needing food aid by early next year.Aid groups say Zimbabwe is facing a major humanitarian crisis, with nearly half the population needing food aid by early next year.
The crisis has been made more pressing by the cholera epidemic that has swept Zimbabwe, killing at least 300 people and affecting some 6,000.The crisis has been made more pressing by the cholera epidemic that has swept Zimbabwe, killing at least 300 people and affecting some 6,000.