BY CHIEF REPORTER, HARARE - President Robert Mugabe was rebuked on Monday night by South African President Thabo Mbeki over his failure to act against the mayhem that has seen heavily-armed police officers and groups of Zanu (PF) militia involved in incidents of lawlessness against the opposition this week.

Western diplomats confirmed the rebuke.
The MDC is dismayed by Zanu (PF)'s disdain for the SADC-initiated talks that are aimed at finding common ground between the regime and the opposition, MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said.

While the MDC and Zanu (PF) are engaged in dialogue in Pretoria, the regime has continued to hound our supporters; brutally assaulting and attacking them against the spirit of the dialogue process.

The MDC delivered a detailed report to Mbeki on the last two weeks of violence and harassment its members have suffered from Mugabe's security forces and militias, led by so-called guerrilla war veterans.

Mugabe indicated he knew nothing of the MDC attacks, SA sources said. He asked Mbeki, why haven't they been telling (Justice Minister Patrick) Chinamasa and (Social welfare Minister Nicholas) Goche, said our source.
At Mbeki's insistence, Mugabe promised he would ensure that the protagonists met this week to discuss the deteriorating situation.

Mbeki dialogued with Mugabe as police arrested almost 100 WOZA women on a peaceful protest against the deteriorating national crisis. On the same day, senior police and intelligence officials summoned MDC Harare provincial organizing secretary and Glen View MP, Paul Madzore, to Harare Central Police Station in connection with alleged hate speech against police made at an MDC rally in Glen Norah on Sunday. The police said they took great exception to calls by the speakers at the rally for people to note down the names of police officers who are involved in human rights abuses.

Chamisa said since the dialogue process started, police have turned down 103 opposition rallies while Zanu (PF)'s solidarity marches led by so-called war veterans continue throughout the country without any police interference.