Zimbabwe violence worsens

Updated 17.38 Mon Apr 14 2008

Keywords: Mugabe, election, Zimbabwe

A member of Zimbabwe's main opposition party has been murdered as the country's election crisis becomes increasingly violent.

Thokozani Khupe, the president of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said the man was stabbed to death by supporters of defiant president Robert Mugabe at his home in the rural northwest of the country.

The Movement for Democratic Change says hundreds of villagers have been forced out of their homes by militia mobilised by Mr Mugabe in a bid to intimidate opponents

At least 20 other MDC supporters had been admitted to hospital in Harare after attacks by supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF party, she added.

The MDC says hundreds of villagers have been forced out of their homes by militia mobilised by Mr Mugabe in a bid to intimidate opponents.

The 84-year-old has won a further delay in the release of the results of the March 29 presidential elections, which the MDC says he lost.

Zimbabwe's High Court has rejected an opposition bid to force authorities to release the results.

Further delays are expected because of legal manoeuvres and a recount of 23 constituencies ordered by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for next Saturday.

The opposition says Mr Mugabe is holding back the announcement to give him time to organise a violent response to the biggest electoral setback of his 28-year reign.

The MDC is opposing the recount in court and has called for a general strike on Tuesday to protest against delays.

Police condemned the strike, saying in a statement the MDC was "agitating for violence".

Officers confirmed the death of the MDC man but said the killing did not appear to be politically-motivated.