The bodies of four opposition activists have been found near the Zimbabwe capital, after being abducted, the Movement for Democratic Change says.

An MDC spokesman accused supporters of President Robert Mugabe of being behind the deaths, ahead of next week's poll.

The body of Harare's recently elected opposition mayor's wife has also reportedly been found, badly burnt.

International leaders have condemned the violence but Mr Mugabe's allies have denied any responsibility.

The MDC says at least 70 of its supporters have now been killed and 25,000 forced from their homes in a state-sponsored campaign of violence ahead of the 27 June presidential run-off.

Earlier, Zimbabwe's public broadcaster ZBC said it will no longer carry campaign adverts from the MDC - a decision the opposition said it would challenge.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa defended the move, saying international coverage favoured the MDC and never reported the ruling Zanu-PF's position.

Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the political violence in Zimbabwe.

(BBC)

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