Zimbabwe rivals in crisis talks

Robert Mugabe wants to seek re-election next year

Zimbabwe's opposition and ruling parties are holding talks aimed at solving the country's economic and political crisis, officials say.

The first talks since South African President Thabo Mbeki was tasked with mediating between the rivals began in South Africa at the weekend.

Both sides have confirmed the talks but neither would give any details.

The economy is in meltdown, with the world highest inflation rate - 3,700% - and just one adult in five in work.

Last week, a report said the economy would collapse within six months.

Free elections

"I can only confirm that we have representatives in South Africa attending roundtable discussions with the country's other political players," Nelson Chamisa spokesman for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) told the AFP news agency.

"In the interest of diplomacy, I am under instructions not to comment or give any more detail until such a time when both parties have agreed to make a statement."

Didymus Mutasa, from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, told Reuters news agency that the talks were at a preliminary stage - to set the agenda for more substantive issues.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche are attending on behalf of the government, while the MDC is represented by top officials from its two factions - Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube.

South Africa's Local Government Minister Sydney Mufumadi is chairing the discussions,

The MDC is demanding that elections due next year be free and fair, an official told the BBC.

Their demands include:

• International control of the elections
• The millions of Zimbabweans abroad be allowed to vote
• No voters' roll - anyone with an identity card to vote

Previous talks between Zanu-PF and the MDC have failed to make any headway and some analysts say there is still little chance of a breakthrough.

Arthur Mutambara says he wants to bring the MDC factions closer

One of the MDC faction leaders, Arthur Mutambara, is outraged that Zimbabwe officials have seized his passport, leaving him stranded in South Africa.

He had sent his travel document to Zimbabwe with a colleague to apply for a UK visa when it was confiscated, he says.

He says it is a deliberate attempt to block moves to reunite the opposition, as he was due to travel with the leader of the other group, Morgan Tsvangirai.

The MDC split two years ago.

This was supposed to be the first time the two MDC leaders had travelled to Europe together.

Mr Mutambara's colleague, Nqabutho Dube, is reported to still be in custody in Harare.

The MDC has also condemned proposed constitutional changes, which would create 60 new seats in parliament and let parliament choose a new leader in the event of a sitting president leaving office for whatever reason.

At present, new elections would be called if the presidential office became vacant.

Mr Mugabe, 83, has said he wants to stand in next year's polls.

Coup plot

Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that the bodies of two MDC activists have been found in the south-western Matobo area.

The two were apparently abducted by armed men last month.

ZIMBABWE CRISIS Inflation: 3,714% Unemployment: 80% 4m need food aid Life expectancy: 37 (men), 34 (women) Mobiles to beat fuel queues

The MDC accuses the government of President Robert Mugabe of routinely intimidating and assaulting its members.

Scores of activists, including both Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Mutambara, were arrested and beaten by police in March.

Mr Mugabe said they had deserved their treatment because they had ignored police warnings not to hold a banned meeting.

But pictures of Mr Tsvangirai's injuries sparked international outrage, leading to Mr Mbeki's appointment as mediator.

Late on Friday, details emerged of an alleged coup plot in Zimbabwe.

Six men, including an army officer, are due to appear in court on 22 June. They have pleaded not guilty.

They are alleged to have planned to carry out a coup against Mr Mugabe and replace him with Rural Housing Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mr Mnangagwa, long seen as one of the candidates to replace Mr Mugabe, has denied any involvement.

The men were arrested last month but their initial court appearances had been kept secret.