Civil society groups in Zimbabwe will hold a series of demonstrations to coincide with the staging of World Cup Cricket matches in the country next month, they say.

Opposition groups are unhappy that Zimbabwe is being allowed to host the matches because of the human rights record of President Robert Mugabe's government.

Zimbabwe cannot be classified as part of the civilised international community Lovemore Madhuku Political activist

Meanwhile, a judge has overturned the victory of two candidates from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party in June 2000 parliamentary elections because of violence and intimidation.

South Africa is hosting the Cricket World Cup but some matches will also be played in both Zimbabwe and Kenya.

The government has accused the opposition of planning to disrupt the World Cup Cricket matches.

On Wednesday, opposition MP Job Sikhala was arrested in connection with an arson attack on a bus earlier this week.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) also says that another of its MPs, Paul Madzore, was beaten up by policemen after being arrested in connection with riots in his Harare constituency.

Dispersed

Lovemore Madhuku from the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) said the protest marches were not aimed at cricket, "but the focus is to expose to the international community the excesses of the Zimbabwean regime".

Properties were destroyed and burnt as part of the intimidation Judge Rita Makarau

"You cannot treat Zimbabwe as a venue for international gatherings because Zimbabwe cannot be classified as part of the civilised international community," he said.

The NCA has organised several protests against government policy in recent years but they are generally easily dispersed by riot police.

Earlier this week, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that England would travel to Zimbabwe despite pressure from the UK Government to boycott the fixture.

However, if the security situation worsens, the England team might still pull out.

'Corrupt practices'

Overturning the election results in the constituencies of Gokwe North and Gokwe South, judge Rita Makarau said:

"Properties were destroyed and burnt as part of the intimidation. In my view, the evidence before me can only lead to the conclusion that free franchise was affected in the constituency and therefore corrupt practices were committed in the election of the respondent."

Zimbabweans are facing famine

Following the elections, the MDC filed legal challenges in 37 constituencies because of violence and intimidation their members allegedly suffered.

The courts have ruled on 10 cases, overturning seven Zanu-PF victories and dismissing three MDC challenges.

The MDC has also asked the courts to overturn Mr Mugabe's controversial victory in presidential elections in March 2002.