'Electoral officials bribed to oust Mugabe'

Zimbabwe's justice minister suggests Britain bribed Zimbabwean election officials to oust Mugabe

Zimbabwe's justice minister has suggested that Britain bribed Zimbabwean election officials to help oust President Robert Mugabe. Patrick Chinamasa says British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have been colluding to ensure Tsvangirai wins Zimbabwe's election.

Chinamasa's told Zimbabwean state media that some polling officials were corruptly paid British pounds to tamper with the process. He was speaking after Brown spoke out strongly during a United Nations (UN) Security Council debate on Africa. Brown warned the world not to let Mugabe, as he put it, steal the elections.

UN chief Ban Ki-Moon and western countries warned the African Union (AU) that Africa's credibility must be backed by democracy, particularly in Zimbabwe. President Thabo Mbeki said after the debate it is important to engage both the government of Zimbabwe and the opposition to help resolve the post-election impasse.

Zimbabwe 'arms' shipment
There is still great uncertainty about a Chinese ship carrying weapons meant for Zimbabwe that has been moored just outside Durban harbour. Some media reports say the ship could enter the harbour today.

Police and customs are expected to check its cargo, and decide which containers may be offloaded. Documents relating to the weapons have been sent to the police Chief Inspector of Explosives in Pretoria for clearance. Several reports have suggested that the weapons are destined for the Zimbabwe military. Opposition parties yesterday called on the government to block the shipment.