HARARE - South African government officials were in Zimbabwe yesterday assessing the scale of the humanitarian crisis as international calls grow for Robert Mugabe to step down after 28 years as president.

HARARE - South African government officials were in Zimbabwe yesterday assessing the scale of the humanitarian crisis as international calls grow for Robert Mugabe to step down after 28 years as president.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said yesterday that Mugabe must be pressured to go after the US and Britain said last week Mugabe's departure was overdue.

Basic foodstuffs are running out and a cholera epidemic has already killed at least 575 people, infected thousands and has spread to South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia.

The team of senior South African officials arrived on Sunday to assess the situation and ascertain what aid was needed, a department of foreign affairs spokesman said.

"They are there today (yesterday) and they are going to look at the humanitarian and food situation," the spokesman said. - Reuters