Opposition boost in Zimbabwe

Mr Mugabe is targeting white commercial interests

A week before the general election in Zimbabwe, an opinion poll has suggested a clear lead for the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change.

The poll, conducted by a group at the University of Zimbabwe, forecast that the MDC would win at least 70 seats, with President Mugabe's Zanu-PF getting 40; another nine seats were described as too close to call.

A total of 120 seats are up for grabs in the parliamentary elections on 24-25 June. President Mugabe has the right to directly appoint a further 30 MPs in the 150 seat parliament.

Democracy is a baby that is being nutured by Zanu-PF

Didiymus Mutassa

A spokesman for Zanu-PF has dismissed the poll as unscientific.

Opinion polls are relatively new to Zimbabwe - although the same group accurately predicted President Mugabe's defeat in a constitutional referendum in February.

If the opposition did win a majority of seats, Mr Mugabe may feel he has no choice but to step down.

Fledgling democracy

A senior figure in the ruling party, Didiymus Mutassa, has criticised calls for democratic change in the country.

In a BBC interview, Mr Mutassa said Zimbabwe fought for its democracy "through the barrel of the gun" and that the ruling party was still nurturing the democratic process.

Mr Mutassa said it was hypocritical for people who denied the people of Zimbabwe democracy for years, to now champion the cause for change.

He said the people of Zimbabwe were not yet used to removing the "King" when he was still alive and it was a difficult proposition to expect President Mugabe to be suddenly replaced

He said threats from western countries were also unhelpful.

Criticism mounts

The United States has reiterated its condemnation of recent developments in Zimbabwe.

The ruling party's support is stronger in rural areas

Speaking to journalists after meeting finance ministers from Southern African countries, the US Treasury Secretary, Lawrence Summers, said a message had been conveyed to the Zimbabwean authorities expressing its concern.

He said the re-establishment of the rule of law was very important to Zimbabwe and the region.

What has happened over the last few months has been a complete subversion of the democratic electoral process

Tony Reelers

Nine human rights organisations in Zimbabwe accused the state and the ruling party on Friday of mounting a systematic and brutal campaign to destroy the opposition, ahead of parliamentary elections

Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum Director Tony Reelers said: "This has involved murder, torture, beatings, setting people on fire, rapes, kidnappings, arson and various forms of intimidation."

He also said that more than 13,000 rural people had sought refuge in towns and cities to escape the political violence - which has seen the deaths of at least 29 people.

"Free and fair elections are not possible," he said.