Political violence increasing in Zimbabwe

Johannesburg - Human rights lawyers in Zimbabwe say state-sponsored political violence is increasing.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights says its members recorded more than 1 300 cases of political violence in September, a 39% increase from the previous month.

A September 15 power-sharing agreement has stalled because of disputes over Cabinet posts.

Regional leaders suggest Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai run the police ministry together. Tsvangirai rejects that suggestion.

The lawyers and other independent Zimbabwean groups meeting in neighbouring South Africa on Tuesday say the violence, much of it blamed on police, means Tsvangirai is right. - AP