AP
June 6, 2008
HARARE, Zimbabwe - A mob of Zimbabwe "war veterans," a group of violent loyalists to President Robert Mugabe, waylaid a convoy of American and British diplomats yesterday, beating a local staffer, slashing tires and threatening to burn the envoys.
The diplomats were looking into political violence before the presidential election runoff as Mugabe prepares to face an opposition leader who led in the first round.
Mugabe is believed to be orchestrating violence to ensure he wins re-election amid growing unpopularity for his heavy-handed rule and an economic collapse.
Meanwhile, the government ordered aid groups to halt operations. Millions of Zimbabweans depend on food handouts from the groups.
