Zimbabwe, which has barred most foreign media from covering this weekend's polls, warned today it would deal severely with those who have sneaked into the country and are operating illegally.
‘Non-accreditated media houses like the BBC and CNN have set up broadcasting facilities at secret locations...not for professional reporting but for fuelling negative stories to fulfill their prophesy of doom on their regime change agenda," said Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu.
He said government had accredited around 300 foreign journalists for the weekend elections in which long-standing President Robert Mugabe is fighting for re-election.
International journalists have condemned the Zimbabwean government's denial of accreditation to almost every major news organisation outside the country.
Mugabe lashes out against UK and US
Meanwhile President Mugabe has accused the West of driving Zimbabwe towards abject misery through sanctions.
In an outspoken attack on former colonial ruler Britain and the United States, Mr Mugabe said they were responsible for the chronic problems which are now afflicting the health service in a country where even bandages and painkillers are scarce and from where most doctors have emigrated.
‘The British, the Americans and those who think like them, would rather see our children, the old and the infirm suffer under the weight of their evil sanctions they have imposed as part of their desire to effect the regime change in our country,' President Mugabe said. 'As a country, we march on unfettered.’
The European Union and United States both imposed a package of sanctions against Mr Mugabe and his inner circle after he allegedly rigged his re-election in 2002.
While the sanctions, which include measures such as a freezing of bank accounts and a ban on travel, are designed not to affect the population as a whole, Mr Mugabe has often blamed them for the country's economic woes.
Saturday's joint parliamentary and presidential elections, when Mr Mugabe is hoping to secure a sixth term in office, are being held against a backdrop of an economic meltdown characterised by an inflation rate of more than 100,000 and an unemployment rate of over 80%.
Mugabe denies vote-rigging
President Mugabe has warned challengers that he will not tolerate post-election violence in Zimbabwe.
As one of his two challengers said it could take a decade to fix the economy, Mr Mugabe called his opponents stooges of Britain.
He also denied he was rigging his way to a sixth term in office after accusations from his domestic opponents as well as Western countries.
Mr Mugabe, in power since independence in 1980, is being challenged by long-time opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his former finance minister Simba Makoni.
The opposition has said the president is blatantly flouting a series of pre-election agreements including a ban on security forces entering polling booths.
Vote monitors from countries such as China, Iran and Kenya have been invited to observe Saturday's poll.
Analysts say that the opposition's chances of success are largely dependent on breaking Mugabe's grip on the rural electorate.
