afrol News, 7 July - Zimbabwean opposition has announced that undisclosed numbers of refugees fleeing post election violence in that country were killed while others were allegedly beaten up by armed militia groups during overnight raids made on their camps.

The opposition has reported several people were killed in one attack in Gokwe, north of capital Harare.

A witness said, armed masked men in army fatigues, allegedly loyal to president Robert Mugabe beat up people who had previously sought refuge at the South African embassy, in Ruwu, near Harare.

At least eight of those attacked in Ruwa were taken to hospital and about 14 people are still reported missing.

At the G8 summit of world's leading industrialised countries in Japan, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon had called on Zimbabwe's political parties to work together to restore rule of law.

Mr Moon said Zimbabwe's run-off, which saw Mr Mugabe officially re-elected last month, lacked legitimacy.

Opposition Movement for Democratic Change accuses army and ruling party militias of being behind violence, however President Mugabe has denied all charges.

Raids came shortly after SA President Thabo Mbeki held talks with Mr Mugabe and members of a breakaway opposition MDC faction over weekend.

Mr Mbeki is chief regional negotiator on Zimbabwe, and has been trying to persuade both sides to form a unity government.

He has previously said that violence has to end before there can be any talks on sharing power. Mr Mugabe has reportedly said opposition must accept him as leader before any negotiations.

Also at the G8 summit, Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete alluded to differences between African and Western nations in their approach on Zimbabwe.

Mr Kikwete, who also heads African Union, has said, "we are saying no party can govern alone in Zimbabwe and therefore parties have to work together, come out to work together in a government and then look at future of their country together."

A small number of African states has joined European Union, the United States and other western nations in heavily criticising the way election was run.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of 27 June presidential run-off against Mr Mugabe, citing the election violence.

Almost 400 people, displaced by recent government backed violence targeting opposition supporters, had taken refuge in local squash courts in Ruwa after being moved from an SA embassy.

MDC claims that the government backed violence, targeting its supporters since the controversial presidential elections in March, have left over 100 of its supporters murdered and more than 5,000 missing.

Mr Tsvangirai had initially boycotted the talks, saying meeting Mr Mugabe at State House would mean recognising his legitimacy as president.

However, MDC has issued a statement today, indicating that it would consider holding dialogue with Mr Mugabe if among others, the talks would; resolve Zimbabwean crisis, bring legitimacy and democracy to the country, stop all violence, disband all militias and their bases, repatriate all displaced persons, as well as prosecute all perpetrators of violence.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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