Zimbabwe political refugees killed, beaten

HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 7 (UPI) -- Opposition leaders in Zimbabwe say refugees who support them are being killed and beaten in camps by militias loyal to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

Armed militiamen invaded two refugee camps set up for supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change party, which challenged Mugabe for power in elections this year. The MDC supporters were forced to flee to the camps after they were moved from the country's South African embassy, the BBC reported.

The militias killed several people at one camp in Gokwe, north of Harare, and beat refugees at a second camp in Ruwa, where at least eight people were taken to the hospital and 14 members of a camp security patrol were missing. About 400 people had been staying at local squash courts at Ruwa, the broadcaster said.

The attacks on MDC supporters are throwing into doubt efforts by South African President Thabo Mbeki to broker a power-sharing agreement between Mugabe and the opposition. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has refused to participate in meetings with Mugabe until the violence stops, the BBC said.