Are the SADC observers to the Zimbabwean elections in solidarity with the Zimbabwe gov’t of Robert Mugabe? Certainly not, because like everybody in Southern Africa people want the best outcome for Zimbabwe. Do the observers represent their various countries? Yes they do, because most governments in Southern Africa have been elected by a democratic system. This is a big change to the old system of colonialism/apartheid where the white minority took upon themselves to represent the black majority in all affairs. It is unfortunately that increasingly the white minorities, especially “anglos” like Verna Rainers have resorted to second guessing the Southern African gov’ts. When President Mbeki was negotiating the Zimbabwe elections with all parties, most people like Verna were opposed. Guess what, Mbeki was right to try and force the MDC to participate in the elections. His mission is a success and a justifiable one for that matter. We people in Southern Africa need to ignore colonialist and apartheid people who are increasingly isolated and cannot adjust to the new realities with democracy.

Is it not Mugabe and Zanu-PF that need to accept the realities of democracy???? Isn't this what the wait is all about? It's Mugabe and friends deciding whether he steps down or force a re-run. At this point, it is not the people that are making the decision, but a powerful clique that has left their fellow Africans to suffer or flee their homes to avoid persecution or starvation. That's not how democracy works

I think Africans in particular must stop the practice of blatant hypocrisy and shameless display of lumpen thoughts. It is no secret that the Western Countries including the entire European Union and United States are responsible for the current hardship of Zimbabwe and zimbabweans through their sanctions and seizure of Zimbabwe's assets. It is important to note that the pronouncements by the MDC are recipe for chaos. The ZEC has six days to announce its result. Why did'nt MDC wait for the end of the six days?Instead it went ahead and announce its own illegal result. That can never be done by any political party in the UK or in any civilized country.

Not even when the very president of USA george Bush won the first elections against Al gore in court instead of the ballot box.

What is wrong in SADC saying what they actually saw? what is criminal about that?

As an ex serving member of the Rhodedsian Army evicted from the African continent by reverse racism I watch the events in Zimbabwe with smug satisfaction. Look at what this tyrant has created, a smoking ruin from a once prosperous land. In any civilised and democratic country 100,000% inflation would normally be a reasonably strong reason to change the Government but not in Zimbabwe. With all the odious apparatus of the State at his disposal and the tacit approval of his equally venemous neighbours, Mugabe will cling to power through ruthless repression in the true communist way. Buckets more misery and suffering are in store for Zimbabwe and before we tut tut and say how bad this is.... Hey the people got what they wanted back in 1980 so long live this black utopia and Pamberi ne Jongwe! I laugh at the irony of it all.

As a native Floridian of the US, Bush and the American gov't should have nothing to say, as Bush's brother assigned Florida State Patrol to tell black voters that they voted the next day! Everyone knows he stole both elections (2000, 2004)!