Thame residents are being urged to protest about Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe's suppression of human rights in his country.

They are being asked by the local branch of Amnesty International to make their protests to South Africa, and other countries bordering Zimbabwe so that pressure can be brought on the Harare regime.

Branch chairman Jeannette Watson said: "The situation in Zimbabwe has gone out of the news because of the Iraq crisis -- but it still exists.

"People's basic human rights are being breached by Mr Mugabe's government.

"We must do everything we can to bring pressure to bear."

Letters should be sent to the Office of the President, Private Bag X1000, Pretoria 0001, South Africa, or e-mailed to president@npo.gov.za