Johannesburg - Seven Zimbabweans, four men and three women, were found dead in South Africa after their shack in Western Cape province was allegedly set alight, police said Monday.

A police spokesman told SAfm public radio that the alleged attack, which took place in a squatter camp, was under investigation.

Last year, mobs killed at least 62 people and drove thousands of others from their homes in a two-week frenzy of xenophobic violence targeting mostly migrants from neighbouring countries, such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.

Wellington (New Zealand), Feb. 23 : New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has said that he is ready to halt the Black Caps tour of Zimbabwe.

The New Zealand cricket team are scheduled to play three one one-day internationals in the strife-torn African nation in July under the International Cricket Council''s (ICC) future tours programme.

The only way New Zealand Cricket (NZC) can avoid ICC sanctions is if Key orders the team not to tour.

Hong Kong - When Helen left her native Zimbabwe and travelled across the world to a new life in Hong Kong, the last person she would have chosen to follow her was the man she blamed unequivocally for the ruin of her homeland: Robert Mugabe.

Her peace of mind was shattered when a report surfaced earlier this month that the African country's 85-year-old president, who
30-year stranglehold on power may be loosening as Zimbabwe sinks deeper into economic and political chaos, has bought a home in the city worth 5 million US dollars.

Johannesburg/Harare  - State media and party loyalists in Zimbabwe praised President Robert Mugabe as he turned 85 on Saturday, with a lavish party and banquet planned for next week.

Zimbabwe's defence ministry paid for an advertisement eulogizing Mugabe - who has been ostracized by the international community - saying: "Like a mighty crocodile, you have remained resilient, focused and resolute against all the odds ... "

The state-owned daily The Herald said: "We should never forget that 50 of the 85 years, comrade Mugabe has been in the trenches slaving so that you and I could live a life of dignity."

Johannesburg/Harare - Africa's oldest leader, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe turned 85 on Saturday, with a lavish party to follow on February 28.

At a fund-raising event organized by his Zanu-PF party earlier this month, pledges of 110,000 US dollars and several head of cattle, goats and pigs were secured towards the party, despite around half the population not being able to adequately feed itself.

Speaking on national radio earlier this week, Absolom Sikhosana, Zanu PF's youth leader, admitted raising funds for this year celebrations have been more difficult.

London, Feb 21 : Former Zimbabwe opener and assistant coach of the England cricket team, Andy Flower, wants to become the new team director and help solve the puzzle of why they cannot win Test matches.

Flower has decided to apply for the job made vacant by the sacking of his friend Peter Moores.

ECB chiefs on Friday launched their quest for the new man by advertising the 300,000 pound-a-year post and upgrading the title from head coach to team director.