Mbeki in Zimbabwe ahead of vote

(CNN) - South African President Thabo Mbeki is visiting Zimbabwe to meet with its embattled leader ahead of next week's runoff election, the South African government said Wednesday.

Mbeki is visiting in his capacity as mediator with the 14-nation Southern African Development Community. The scheduled meeting with President Robert Mugabe will take place in the southwestern city of Bulawayo, Mbeki's government said.

Mbeki's trip comes at an especially critical time in Zimbabwe. Mugabe faces a runoff June 27 with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, and Mugabe's supporters have been accused of kidnappings, beatings and murders in an effort to influence the outcome.

Mugabe met Tuesday with top United Nations envoy Haile Menkerios, who is in Zimbabwe this week to try to resolve pre-election tensions.