Mbeki urges end to land crisis

The presidents walked hand-in-hand on a red carpet

South African President Thabo Mbeki has called on the Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe, to seek a peaceful resolution of the nation's violent dispute over land reform.

We trust that ways and means will be found to end the conflict

Thabo Mbeki

"Peace, stability, democracy and social progress in Zimbabwe are as important for yourselves as they are for the rest of the region," Mr Mbeki said.

As he was speaking at the Zimbabwe Trade Fair in Bulawayo, police were reported to have briefly detained the main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangerai.

Mr Mbeki's comments - his most forceful yet - come after weeks of political violence and a campaign by squatters and self-styled war veterans to occupy white-owned farms in Zimbabwe.

He shared the podium with Mr Mugabe, who remained silent throughout the speech and made no comment afterwards.

"As a people, we are convinced that it would be best that this important matter is dealt with in a co-operative and non-confrontational manner among all the people of this sister country - both black and white - reflecting the achievement of a national consensus on this issue, encompassing all Zimbabweans," Mr Mbeki said.

Mugabe: No comment after Mbeki's address

He also called for the proper use of land acquired for redistribution.

"Clearly, the resultant land distribution also imposes the obligation to ensure that such land is used productively, to help provide a better life for the people," the South African president added.

South African jitters South Africa's currency, the rand, fell to record lows early on Friday because of jitters caused by the situation in Zimbabwe.

In Cape Town on Friday, about 200 people calling themselves "Friends of Zimbabwe" marched to the South Africa parliament to protest against what they described as the Mbeki government's low-key response to the crisis in Zimbabwe.

The chanting protesters called for President Mbeki's unconditional condemnation of the white-owned farms in Zimbabwe.

We feel his speech did not go any further to condemn the lack of law in Zimbabwe

Cape Town protest leader Paul Carter

Mr Mbeki had said in a state of the nation address on Thursday that South Africa would maintain an attitude of quiet diplomacy towards Zimbabwe.

"We feel his speech did not go any further to condemn the lack of law in Zimbabwe and that his "softly, softly" approach has failed to stem the murder of farmers," said the protest organiser, Paul Carter.

Opposition leader held

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangerai was reportedly held for several hours by police on Friday.

Morgan Tsvangerai - held by police

An official of his Movement for Democratic Change told Reuters news agency that Mr Tsvangerai was arrested during an election campaign visit to the southern district of Chiredzi.

It is not known why he was held.

When elections are called, Mr Tsvangerai is expected to pose the first significant challenge to President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF since independence.

He has been a sharp critic of the illegal farm occupations.

Occupations continue

More than 40 farms have been occupied in the past three days, bringing the total number affected to nearly 1,200.

Security co-ordinators said two more farms had been occupied early on Friday.

Dr Chenjerai Hunzi: Still facing fraud charges

The continuing occupations come as the High Court in Harare postponed the contempt of court sentencing of the war veterans leader Dr Chenjerai Hunzvi for failing to halt the farm occupations.

The union representing the white farmers had asked for a postponement of the sentencing to 19 May, because of fears that the sentencing might disturb the uneasy calm between the war veterans and some of the farmers.

Dr Hunzvi still faces court charges that he defrauded the War Victims Compensation Fund of about Z$400,000 (US$10,000).

The state claims that the 50-year-old Mr Hunzvi, a doctor, forged medical certificates and faked injuries he claimed to have received during the liberation war against the white government of the then Rhodesia.