Zimbabwe's justice minister on Wednesday dismissed the suggestion his government might open dialogue with opposition groups and accused them of carrying out violent acts to seize power.

Speaking ahead of a summit of southern African leaders, where Zimbabwe's crisis is expected to be high on the agenda, Patrick Chinamasa told Zambian state television: "There can be no justification to make us (engage in) dialogue."

"There is no justification whatsoever for committing violence against innocent people," he said after ZNBC asked him if dialogue was possible. Chinamasa accused the opposition of carrying out bombings and arson.

"They are only interested in getting into power through unconstitutional means," he said.

The opposition denies carrying out violent acts.

Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) start formal talks in Lusaka on Thursday and are expected to address the issue of Zimbabwe, once a symbol of African liberation and regional breadbasket that now faces economic meltdown.

President Robert Mugabe has been cracking down on the opposition as he faces hyperinflation and growing pressure from Western powers for reform. A weak and divided opposition has allowed him to keep a tight grip on power.


SOFT LINE ON ZIMBABWE?

South African President Thabo Mbeki has engaged in quiet diplomacy in a bid to promote dialogue between Mugabe and his foes. He may report progress on his efforts during the two-day summit in the Zambian capital.

Mbeki and other African leaders have been accused of taking a soft line, allowing Mugabe room for manoeuvre as Zimbabweans suffer deepening poverty and as political tension rises.

Zambia was the first African country to openly criticise Mugabe, saying the country was "a sinking Titanic". But Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has since toned down his position.

As southern African leaders gather for SADC's 27th summit, Zimbabweans face the world's highest inflation rate, severe food, fuel and foreign currency shortages and what Mugabe's critics say is a ruthless suppression of his opponents.

Mugabe calls opposition groups puppets of the United States and Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler Britain, saying the Western powers have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe because he seized white-owned farms for distribution to landless blacks.

Chinamasa urged Britain to end its campaign of "demonisation" of Mugabe's government and called for an immediate end to sanctions.

Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, has forced businesses to cut prices to try tame inflation, but the move has only deepened hardship and forced more Zimbabweans to flee to countries such as South Africa -- increasing pressure on regional economies.