Speaking ahead of a summit of southern African leaders, where Zimbabwe's crisis is expected to be high on the agenda, Patrick Chinamasa told Zambian state television: "There can be no justification to make us [engage in] dialogue."

"There is no justification whatsoever for committing violence against innocent people," he said after ZNBC asked him if dialogue with the opposition was possible.

He accused the opposition of carrying out bombings and said the Zimbabwean government could not talk to them as long as the campaign continued.

Leaders from the Southern African Development Community, are gathering for talks in Lusaka and are expected to address the issue of Zimbabwe, where President Robert Mugabe has been cracking down on the opposition as he faces hyperinflation, economic paralysis and pressure from Western powers for reform.

South African President Thabo Mbeki has engaged in quiet diplomacy in a bid to promote dialogue between Mugabe and his foes.

But he and other African leaders have been accused of taking a soft line on Zimbabwe, allowing Mugabe more room for manoeuvre.