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Farm-workers flee Zimbabwe homes | |
(41 minutes later) | |
Some 40,000 farm-workers and their families have fled their homes in Zimbabwean election violence, a trade union official says. | Some 40,000 farm-workers and their families have fled their homes in Zimbabwean election violence, a trade union official says. |
"They have been accused of voting for the opposition. Most of them are either on the roadside or sheltering at some farms," said Gertrude Hambira. | "They have been accused of voting for the opposition. Most of them are either on the roadside or sheltering at some farms," said Gertrude Hambira. |
Earlier, a South African observer said the country was too violent to hold a run-off in the presidential election. | Earlier, a South African observer said the country was too violent to hold a run-off in the presidential election. |
There are reports that the poll could be delayed by up to a year. | There are reports that the poll could be delayed by up to a year. |
A newspaper editor and a lawyer have also been arrested. | A newspaper editor and a lawyer have also been arrested. |
No date has been set for the second round between President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, which should be 21 days after the official results. | No date has been set for the second round between President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, which should be 21 days after the official results. |
These, announced last Friday, said that Mr Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mr Mugabe but not the 50% needed to be declared the winner. | These, announced last Friday, said that Mr Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mr Mugabe but not the 50% needed to be declared the winner. |
Mr Tsvangirai, however, says the results were fixed and insists that he did pass the 50% threshold. | Mr Tsvangirai, however, says the results were fixed and insists that he did pass the 50% threshold. |
He has not said whether he would take part in a run-off, citing fraud and alleged state-sponsored violence against his supporters. | He has not said whether he would take part in a run-off, citing fraud and alleged state-sponsored violence against his supporters. |
'Army uniforms' | 'Army uniforms' |
Ms Hambira said that people were being targeted in rural areas which voted for the opposition. | Ms Hambira said that people were being targeted in rural areas which voted for the opposition. |
"This population represents what might be termed the swing vote between the traditional [opposition] MDC strongholds in urban areas and the Zanu-PF strongholds in the rural areas," she said. | "This population represents what might be termed the swing vote between the traditional [opposition] MDC strongholds in urban areas and the Zanu-PF strongholds in the rural areas," she said. |
You cannot have the next round taking place in this atmosphere; it will not be helpful Kingsley MamaboloSouth African observer | You cannot have the next round taking place in this atmosphere; it will not be helpful Kingsley MamaboloSouth African observer |
"They have been attacked by a group of militias wearing army uniforms," said Ms Hambira, General Secretary of the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe. | "They have been attacked by a group of militias wearing army uniforms," said Ms Hambira, General Secretary of the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe. |
The army has denied allegations that it is involved in the violence. | The army has denied allegations that it is involved in the violence. |
Much of the political violence in recent years has been on white-owned farms, but all but 400 of these have been seized by the state and redistributed. | Much of the political violence in recent years has been on white-owned farms, but all but 400 of these have been seized by the state and redistributed. |
Of these, some 142 have been attacked since the 29 March elections, said farmers' lobby group Justice for Agriculture (Jag). | Of these, some 142 have been attacked since the 29 March elections, said farmers' lobby group Justice for Agriculture (Jag). |
Before the seizure of white-owned farms in 2000, there were were some 4,000 white farmers in Zimbabwe, employing some 200,000 people. | Before the seizure of white-owned farms in 2000, there were were some 4,000 white farmers in Zimbabwe, employing some 200,000 people. |
Mr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on a plot for the white farmers and their western backers to reclaim their land. | Mr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on a plot for the white farmers and their western backers to reclaim their land. |
Kingsley Mamabolo said South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is trying to mediate in the crisis, had sent a fact-finding mission to the country. | Kingsley Mamabolo said South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is trying to mediate in the crisis, had sent a fact-finding mission to the country. |
"You cannot have the next round taking place in this atmosphere; it will not be helpful," he said. | "You cannot have the next round taking place in this atmosphere; it will not be helpful," he said. |
Those arrested are: | Those arrested are: |
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'Peace and transparency' | 'Peace and transparency' |
Earlier, the head of the Pan-African Parliament observer team, Marwick Khumalo, said Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairman George Chiweshe had told him that the run-off could be delayed by up to a year. | Earlier, the head of the Pan-African Parliament observer team, Marwick Khumalo, said Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairman George Chiweshe had told him that the run-off could be delayed by up to a year. |
"He told me it was not possible to organise an election within the 21 days required by the constitution," said Mr Khumalo, a Swaziland MP. | "He told me it was not possible to organise an election within the 21 days required by the constitution," said Mr Khumalo, a Swaziland MP. |
The opposition says its supporters are being systematically targeted | The opposition says its supporters are being systematically targeted |
"He said the election would be organised within the shortest possible time and this would not be longer than 12 months." | "He said the election would be organised within the shortest possible time and this would not be longer than 12 months." |
Mr Tsvangirai has called for international observers to be sent to monitor the run-off - a call backed up by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. | Mr Tsvangirai has called for international observers to be sent to monitor the run-off - a call backed up by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. |
Western observers were banned from the first round by the Zimbabwe government, which accused them of bias, after they said there had been fraud in previous elections. | Western observers were banned from the first round by the Zimbabwe government, which accused them of bias, after they said there had been fraud in previous elections. |
African Union head Jean Ping has told the BBC that the continental body would send extra observers to Zimbabwe for the run-off. | African Union head Jean Ping has told the BBC that the continental body would send extra observers to Zimbabwe for the run-off. |
He was speaking after meeting President Mugabe, as well as the leaders of Zambia and South Africa. | He was speaking after meeting President Mugabe, as well as the leaders of Zambia and South Africa. |
"The assurances given to me were that the second round would take place in peace and transparency," he said. | "The assurances given to me were that the second round would take place in peace and transparency," he said. |
If Mr Tsvangirai does not contest the run-off, Mr Mugabe would automatically win. | If Mr Tsvangirai does not contest the run-off, Mr Mugabe would automatically win. |
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says at least 25 of its supporters have been killed since the relatively peaceful first round on 29 March. | Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says at least 25 of its supporters have been killed since the relatively peaceful first round on 29 March. |
But police and officials from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have accused the MDC of staging attacks, while accusing the MDC of exaggerating the scale of the violence. | But police and officials from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have accused the MDC of staging attacks, while accusing the MDC of exaggerating the scale of the violence. |
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