Mugabe bans political rallies

Zimbabwean police have banned political rallies "with immediate effect", amid growing tension over the country's disputed presidential election.

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena told state radio there were insufficient officers to deploy at such rallies. The decision came as state radio reported that President Robert Mugabe would not now attend a regional summit on the crisis in Zambia at the weekend.

And that after the opposition had a meeting with the South African president Mbeki. The opposition says Mugabe is using violent and underhand means to retain power; but then what else did they expect from the caricature dictator?