"But it will be the beginning of a slippery slope to dictatorship."

Dear Cde. Makoni,

What definition of "dictatorship" does Mugabe and ZANU fail to meet already? Our country is now run by the filth of ZANU. This once beautiful country has become an embarrassment to Africa and the world...a toilet of political machinations and political violence. It needs a thorough cleansing, not a continuance of the influence of the former corrupt government of Mugabe and ZANU. Even Ian Smith's government was better than the old man's. At least nobody was starving. ZANU's Gukurahundi murdered more Zimbabweans than were killed in the Chimurenga AND CONTINUES IT'S MURDERING AND TORTURE TODAY!!!

The MDC should never make the mistake of getting into a government of national unity with zanupf. Zanu PF is deceitful and the MDC stands to lose in the long run if it agrees to get into a GNU. Zanu PF has destroyed Zimbabwe and should never be given the opportunity to continue destroying what remains of Zimbabwe. It is also impossible for the 2 parties to unite because of wide differences in ideology and history. Makoni was rejected by the electorate and let me advise him either to back Tsvangirai against Zanu PF or to quit politics for the meantime and monitor developments inorder to make a wiser decision when the waters calm down.

Makoni's suggestions,in principle are very noble and workable. The transitional government would actually create a breathing space for a nation which is in a situation such as ZImbabwe currenlty is. However,the practicality of it becomes a big issue. The two parties have their differences,and,both seem stuck on their demn principles,while Zimbabweans are suffering.

Every Zimbabwean has been forced(by ginya) to become an entrepreneur. Black market is only in name,but practically,that is where all Zimbabweans meet and trade.

All these issues of GNU,what-what,the Zimbabweans have but lost hope,and these two major parties are very much aware of the fatigue which has gripped the nation. So when Makoni talks about GNU, he should realise that the electorate is also aware of the feasibility problems around the his proposal. The electorate is also aware that committing itself to politicking has experientially not brought sadza patafura so the issue is moved to"Any other business" category. So the GNU while it is a very noble alternative, it should provide fool-proof assurance to the nasty experiences the electorate faced and still facing,before people can give it a serious thought.

How can a political party who is at war with the Zimbabweans ever be allowed to govern. We shouldn't be talking about a Government of National Unity, we should be talking about are they getting life imprisonment, or will they only be exiled? They are mass murderers!

You-Another White South Africa, also need to talk about white apartheid leaders and why they are still alive. How about if we collect all white apartheid leaders and throw them in a ball of fire! They are also mass murderers. Do not dare tell Zimbabweans what to do with their political parties. Mandela forgive hard core white racists murderous idiotes, who are still roaming around killing black people. Who knows, if you have not killed a black innocent worker on your farm. It is estimated that about 1,000,000 black people were cold murdered by white racists south africans. Please do not inflame the past!!!! You have the worst human rights past, then any country in SADC. You it...and I know it.

Simba's roar is correct - Zimbabwe needs a govt of national unity. Otherwise there will BE a civil war in Zim because of the retribution reflexes of the west just like in Airaqi. Saddam was killed but look at the mess... this is now refered to as THE AIRAQI QAOSI.. where the invading forces are pinned down like hell. This will be the case in Zimbabwe if some nuthead decides to invade.

Just imagine the effectiveness of DIEDs(aka Deadly Improvised Explosive Devices) in Zimbo scenario...!

"The MDC should never make the mistake of getting into a government of national unity with zanupf. Zanu PF is deceitful and the MDC stands to lose in the long run if it agrees to get into a GNU".

Is Simba correct or not?

Zanu PF lost the election but want to share power, that isn't how democracy works. I lost so I'm going to make up my own rules now."There will be a civil war because of the retribution reflexes of the west"? So even if there is a civil war between ZANUPF and MDC it will be due to the retribution reflexes of the west? It seems to me that you blame all of your misfortunes on the west, don’t you have any sense of personal responsibility? I understand that a convenient scapegoat is handy to have but after 28 years of independence your government is crying because no one will lend you money.

Have you ever been to Iraq? More innocent Iraqis have died as a result of insurgent action than foreign soldiers. I don’t remember ever being pinned down either, a helicopter gunship works wonders against an AK. As for IED's I've never heard of an improvised explosive device which wasn’t improvised to be deadly. "DIED's"? Did you make that up? How clever you are. Just imagine the effectiveness of 5th Generation fighter aircraft against your cold war era aeroplanes, imagine the latest Main Battle Tank against your Chinese copies of 1950's Russian Tanks? Like shooting fish in a barrel. Now let’s try to imagine why anyone in their right mind would decide to take the poison chalice of Zimbabwe and want to invade?

You're one of those people who talks a good war, but they can run really fast. I met many like you in Sierra Leone they love to terrorize people into submission but as soon as they see a “white devil” in a blue helmet that is there to stop them killing and raping they decide to run really fast. Except for the ones who have been to the witch doctor who tells them that a cut on their head packed with drugs will make them invisible to the bullets......the witch doctor lied but they never lived to get their money refunded.

Grow up ABB. No one is going to invade you, no one wants to and it isn’t in anyone’s interest to keep throwing money at Zimbabwe we’d much rather you stood on your own feet and made a useful contribution to the world. And as for IED’s in a Zimbo scenario; IED’s work pretty well anywhere, but not so well in the bush, a little tactical hint for you there ABB.

I do think though...if the ZANU PF goons arent reigned in and we see anything like Rwanda, or Sierra Leone or some overzealous idiot decides to run over the US ambassador all bets will be off. The guy who tried to drive over McGee doesnt even know how close he came to inviting the US military to Zimbabwe.

Phiri,right on. Burn up all those South African dirty, filthy, white racist murderers and don't forget to throw in Mugabe as well. He is no better. Bloody bastards.

Cde Makoni is absolutely right. The important thing is to end the violence and find a way forward that will deliver a solution for all Zimbabweans. Anger and recriminations aside, the fact of the matter is that Zimbabwean opinion is divided between ZANU-PF and MDC. Both groups have strong reasons for their beliefs. Only a consitution that allows all voices to be heard, and does not vest all the power in one person or one party can achieve this. A Transitional Authority, led by a chairman that does not have presidential powers, with no president in place during its term of office, is the only way to achieve this.

As to those who express anger and demand retribution: Zimbabwe cannot afford this - it will only lead to violence. We should remember we are Africans. Traditional justice is not about retribution - it is about and putting things right and healing the community. We should be thinking of how to restore confidence, dialogue, respect and trust - let us rebuild our country for all Zimbabweans.