It also says it has imposed a travel ban on British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his ministers and senior British Government officials.
The Zimbabwe Government has imposed a travel ban on British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his cabinet, junior ministers and heads of his government departments as part of its efforts to safeguard the country's sovereignty |
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Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation |
On Thursday, the European Union accused President Robert Mugabe's government of channelling food aid to its own supporters and ignoring opposition activists, as millions face starvation.
Speaking about reports that foreign food aid was being diverted a Danish minister said that such behaviour was unacceptable.
Last weekend, a United States official warned that the US may have to take "intrusive" measures to ensure that food aid was properly distributed.
Zimbabwe has denied the allegations and accused the US of preparing to invade.
Meanwhile, the treason trial of Zimbabwe opposition rival Morgan Tsvangirai has been postponed until February.
Retaliatory move?
The new visa restrictions for Britons, which come into effect on Friday, were announced on the state radio station, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
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Tsvangirai's trial has been pushed back |
The broadcast also outlined the ban on members of the British Government saying:
"The Zimbabwe Government has imposed a travel ban on British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his cabinet, junior ministers and heads of his government departments as part of its efforts to safeguard the country's sovereignty."
Earlier this year, the EU imposed a travel ban on Mr Mugabe and other members of the country's ruling elite following disputed elections.
Asylum claims
On Thursday, Britain announced that Zimbabweans planning to travel to London must now have a visa.
Britain's Home Secretary David Blunkett said the change had been made to stop what was a "very significant abuse of our immigration controls by Zimbabwean nationals".
In the wake of recent economic and political troubles, Zimbabweans have flocked to Britain.
Increasing numbers of Zimbabweans were making "unfounded asylum claims" in Britain, Mr Blunkett said.
Zimbabwe's Information Minister Jonathan Moyo told the BBC's Network Africa programme that this proved that Britain had been exaggerating reports of the situation in Zimbabwe.
Trial delayed
Lawyers acting for Mr Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said they had applied for more time to prepare their defence, after state lawyers failed to hand over crucial documents in time.
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People must show Zanu-PF, as well as identity cards, to get food |
Mr Tsvangirai, along with two other senior MDC officials, have been accused of plotting to assassinate Mr Mugabe - a charge they deny.
All three are unable to travel abroad - having been surrendered their passports as part of their bail conditions.
The opposition accuse Mr Mugabe of mismanaging the country to the point where millions are facing severe food shortages.
Starvation
Up to six million people - half the population - are estimated to need food aid after poor rains, combined with the government seizure of almost all white-owned farms.
Bertel Haarder, European Affairs Minister of Denmark, which holds the EU presidency, condemned Mr Mugabe for abusing food aid.
"We would like to strongly react against the fact that the Zimbabwe Government is using our aid and our food to put political and economic pressure on its own people," Mr Haarder said.
The BBC's Christian Fraser, who recently went to Zimbabwe, says that bags of maize were stacked outside polling stations during the by-election in Insiza - reportedly put there to reward people who voted for Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.
Zanu-PF won the election in what was considered an opposition stronghold.
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