Depending on Mbeki to do anything constructive about Zimbabwe is hopeless. In this whole horrible travesty, perhaps the most disappointing element has been Mbeki's lack of any leadership. Mbeki is pathetic. Remember this is the guy who proclaimed after the Zimbabwe elections that there was no crises in Zimbabwe! If I had one hundered billion Zimbabwe dollars for every blind eye turned by Mbeki I'd be....oh, I'd still be broke.

RAH

I totally agree with Lamaggic. I think we, ordinary Zimbabweans and the MDC members are beginning to fool ourselves. Our behaviour these days reflect what we call in our Shona language, "kutsvaga uta nemugate" translated into English this means "looking for weapons in the cooking pot". Why do we perpetually fool ourselves that Mbeki is a man of integrity? Mbeki is in the talks primarily to help ZANU (PF) and Mugabe to remain in power in the best internationally accepted way he can. He is not a mediator, he is like Mugabe's attornery. He is there to advise and help Mugabe reclaim power in Zimbabwe in a legitimate manner. The MDC formations have been invited to the talks not to share in the power but to give their ascent to Mugabe's takeover of power. Mbeki is not alone in that scheme, the majority of African leaders want Mugabe to retain power as well. They know that the majority of Zimbabweans want Tsvangirai to be their President but they do not want that to happen because it sets a bad precedent for them, against which they will be judged in the future. The majority of the African leaders are not democrats and do not have respect for democratic processes. The African leaders will only accept Tsvangirai if Mugabe himself agrees to pass power to him, which Mugabe is not prepared to do. I know as Zimbabweans we are naturally optimistic people, but I think we have allowed ourselves to be hoodwinked already. The fact that we are beginning to look for something from these time buying tactics glorified as talks means we are doomed. Tsvangirai won the election by more than 50% on March 29 and Mugabe and Mbeki know it. Mbeki agreed with Mugabe after Tsvangirai won that there is no way Tsvangirai can be allowed to be President of Zimbabwe. The only difference between them was that Mbeki being a half baked democratic wanted Tsvangirai to get some government functions at least as a senior Minister in Mugabe's government. Mugabe, as a true dictator, did not want that idea but was prepared to compromise with Mbeki. It is clear to me that Mbeki and Mugabe have already defined the extent to which Tsvangirai will be allowed executive authority. Above all, Mbeki and Mugabe agree that Tsvangirai will not be allowed to have equal powers to or greater powers than Mugabe. The majority of the SADC and AU leaders agree to this (Mbeki and Mugabe's) position. Tsvangirai is actually the legitimate president of Zimbabwe. The only mistake Tsvangirai and the MDC made after the March 29 election results were announnced was to agree to a run off. They should have contested the March 29 presidential results in court. Tsvangira should have thought that if the runoff would be as fair as the March 29 election then Mugabe would lose again. I also think, contrary to what some people think, that ZANU (PF) and Mugabe had the capacity to rig the March 29 presidential results to make Mugabe the outright winner with more than 50% but they calculated that Tsvangirai would then quickly rush to court to contest the result. They calculated well that if they rig and produce a tie, Tsvangirai would not contest the results in court and would agree to take part in a runoff. The only problem for them was that the security forces over elaborated the military campaign resulting in Tsvangirai pulling out of the runoff. Tsvangirai showed that he is a political grandmaster by pulling out of the runoff. If he had participated in that runoff he would have been finished politically. Mbeki and Mugabe lost it when Tsvangirai pulled out of the runoff. But Mbeki and Mugabe are not finished yet, they have pursued him with talks to have Tsvangirai voluntarily ascent to Mugabe taking power. Tsvangirai has again produced another master strike of a genius by refusing to sign the agreement produced in the talks. Tsvangirai must continue to refuse to sign an agreement that leaves Mugabe with executive powers. The agreement Mbeki produced is like the Rudd concession of 1888 which Cecil Rhodes used to trick Lobengula. Tsvangirai must wary of his Indunas (negotiators) who may want to mislead him the way King Lobengula was misled by Lotshe. Tsvangirai should not allow himself to be tricked like Lobengula. Mugabe must not think he is in the mould of Cecil Rhodes who was good at tricking people. Tsvangirai must continue to negotiate with Mugabe tenaciously. I am confident that this time around, Mugabe will lose. The economy will bring him down. Tsvangirai must not show any mercies to Mugabe. Mugabe is not the kind of person to show mercy to. If he survives politically because Tsvangirai has treated him with kids' gloves he will not hesitate to devour Tsvangirai politically. To Tsvangirai, I say, "be warned, be strong, do not take Mugabe lightly. Please take full advantage of the state of the economy to dispossess Mugabe of power. There is no better opportune moment than now. Do not settle for anything less in the talks except the best. You are the people's choice. Mugabe represents no one in the talks but his generals, who are now beginning to consider deserting him as they know that their future will be bleak if Mugabe does not get your blessing to continue to be in power. Do not even start thinking a lot about the people's suffering. The people should be ready to sacrifice. In as much as they sacrificed a lot for Zimbabwe's independence, they should also make a sacrifice for a democratic future. Please do not give your blessing to Mugabe to remain in power. But if you manage to get into power remember the people's sacrifice. Do not betray the people like Mugabe did".

Mutambara is part of the problem. When is he joining the sanctions list where he belongs? Mbeki, we look forward to your departure from office. You have done enough damage. Mr Mugabe is mad anyway and is an accomplished dictator. Where else do you have a nation under constant fear of one old cold blooded murderer like this? I am coming to the shocking realization that most of the SADC and AU leaders would behave the same, given a chance. They seem to still learn a few tricks and see how tolerant the world is to oppression, so that they may perhaps practice it themselves. Illegitimacy has been in ZW all the time, only that now MDC has managed to unmask it for all to see. Thanks Tsvangirai, shame to Mutambara an the few that still support him despite clear evidence of his real person. Perhaps future generations will carry the torch of real freedom from African oppressors who happen to oppress much more than the former European colonialists.

There no element of suicide in this scenario. Mugabe has always been on the right side and i am glad that is still the case. For as long Tsvangirai is dancing to the white man's tune there will be no unity. "THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN". Tsvangirai should learn and become the prodigal son. Mugabe has always been the winner when ever the two battles and the same will keep happening. Its better we go slow than we sell our souls for material wishes

Mugabe is near the end of his reign. Dictators never see the end coming - their arrogance prevents them from seeing reality - but their rule is based on fear and ultimately, inevitably they fall. Sooner or later, Mugabe's threadbare excuses and increasingly transparent efforts to blame outsiders and whites for Zimbabwe's troubles will be seen for what they are and he will have to pay for reducing his once great nation to shambles. It might not be this month; it may not be this year, but the end is near. Without Mbeki to hold back the tide, Mugabe will be isolated and the country will deteriorate into even greater disarray and decay than it is now. Soon, the great people of Zimbabwe partnered with a new leader in South Africa will drive the dictator from power and his infamous place in history will be bare for all to see.

Kadzuu...Go slow to starvation and death, come on man. We need a bit of reasoning. You are the type of people being used to slaughter the grandparents,sisters and brothers for the sack of keeping Mugabe on the seat. What are you going to do then with his age?

Kudzai.. for your on information, Mugabe never won a free and fair battle against Tsvangi. He is a big looser.

True Negitiator, unless Kudzi believes those Uzumba - Marama - Pfungwe results. Remember in 2002 Mugabe got 43,000 in that constituency. In the March 2008 elections, he got less than 28,000 in total in the two newly created constiuencies of Uzumba and Maramba - Pfungwe. The other 15,000 voters had vanished. The Uzumba - Maramba - Pfungwe voters returned for the runoff and someone told me that Mugabe amassed a massive 60,000 there in the runoff. Only a mentally deranged person can believe that there are 60,000 voters in Uzumba - Maramba - Pfungwe. I am surprised that someone like Kudzi who is able to use internet can believe such trash! To Kudzi I say, "please ask your boss, Mugabe, he will tell you that he has never rested since Tsvangirai started delving in politics in 1997. ZANU (PF) had to resoundly rig the parliamentary elections in 2000, 2005 and 2008 and the presidential elections in 2002 and 2008 to deny Tsvangirai deserved victories. But this time around they are finished. Jongwe riya razoneta. Chasara kuribata nekuriwundura."

Hey, kudzaidururu! Open wide your eyes!!

Didn't you see how Mugabe paraded in the West-built Rolls Royce and all the trappings of the colonial past in his parade? He so much likes things from the West! Not to talk about Grace visiting London's Harrods!!

Fool you are to blindly follow Mugabe in his tirade against the West while he himself is enjoying things from the West! Why didn't he accept the Chinese gift of a Chinese built limousine for the parade?

Kudzai is right and a patriotic Zimbabwean. Mugabe never said that he dislikes anything that is western but he will not allow the west to force their will on the people of Zimbabwe. I am suprised that those who ran away from Zimbabwe to the disapora are in the forefront of calling our President all kinds of names and yet true Zimbabweans who have remained and are suffering because of the sanctions actually see through the west's antics. The west imposed sanctions to make Zimbabwe's economy scream so that they can effect regime change. They have made ordinary people to die of hunger and yet they shade crocodile tears and claim that they are trying to help the Zimbabwean people. Are we so blind as to not see that we are being made to fight each other for nothing. Long live President Mugabe

Kudzai and Kufa (the two terrible "K" twins: do not have any illusions about your dear leader surviving this time around. All indications point to Mugabe leaving power unless Tsvangirai gives consent to him staying in power. Tsvangirai used to have the keys to the MDC only. Now Tsvangirai has also obtained the keys to the Zimbabwe.

I didnt realise that travel sanctions could have such a big effect on the Zim economy. Ever thought the fact that govermnent minsters not being able to farm their big new farms might have also had an impact? Ever thought the continuous printing off money by the government might have had an impact? I think you'll find that Mugabe is purely responsible for the suffering in Zimbabwe today. He is no hero.

How true!!Keep on educating them. They keep on talking about yesterday's elections ... who holds power now ... who invited who to be sworn to parliament. Tsvangirai does not want a fight between MDC and the ZANU Administration because he knows he would be a big loser. Imagine the whole MDC team being forced to leave in exile, say in Kenya and doing their politicking from there. The ZANU government has been too indecisive and weak. They allowed the MDC to fly in and out of the country for over ten years when they were plotting the sanctions to grind our economy to a stop or worse in order to force regime change for the sake of regime change. Its high time a few individuals were tried for treasonous activities. Of course, the recent purile behaviour of MDC MPs told the ZANU team that they are dealing with childish individuals. You cant take them seriously though there are a few members of MDC who can be taken seriously and can be co opted into a new government of Unity. The gamemanship of talks has to come to an end. The MDC cannot hold the country to ransom .... the shock of the sanctions imposed on MDC behalf is fading off. Soon Zimbabweans, like the Somalis, are going to learn to leave in discomfort. One day these sanctions would become less and less effective. Call me lunatic, but the true enemies of the MDC are within the organisation.

Kaduzu,who won the three silver and one gold medal at the olympics for Zim?Please stop ranting about the west.Mugabe must go and he will go this time round.Trust me.

Akapfunde, I would like to accept your offer to call you lunatic. Well lunatic, how is MDC holding Zimbabwe to ransom? Do YOU know what is in the package that Mr Tsvangirai has been offered and why he is not signing? You don't, so bugger off and don't make up nonsense.

I DO! ..I DO! ... I DO! The document is common knowledge and is available from the right channels .. which l should presume , you being who you are, should hgave access to. Tsvangirai should have played politics and signed on and cross the bridge when he reaches it.

I DO! ..I DO! ... I DO! The document is common knowledge and is available from the right channels .. which l should presume , you being who you are, should hgave access to. Tsvangirai should have played politics and signed on and cross the bridge when he reaches it.

I DO! ..I DO! ... I DO! The document is common knowledge and is available from the right channels .. which l should presume , you being who you are, should hgave access to. Tsvangirai should have played politics and signed on and cross the bridge when he reaches it.

Akapfunde, it is the stupid acts of your rotten and illegitimate leader Mugabe that has brought your country to its knees and therefore Mr Tsvangirai will not sign anything that would leave him without adequate authority to engineer economic recovery and to overcome repression. That Akapfunde, is prudence and not holding your country at ransom. The only reason you want Mr Tsvangirai to sign these documents hastily is because you want Mugabe to remain in power so that Mugabe can continue crapping on the people. All you blood suckers are afraid that Mr Tsvangirai will redistribute the land fairly among all the people and you will lose your ill-gotten farms and all your comforts that you have been lavished with whilst the rest of Zimbabwe is in dire straits. How can you live with yourselves when purposely and with great and enthusiastic support of Mugabe, you allow such devastation.

It does not matter which son/daughter of Gt Zimbabwe is the head of the government ... Tsvangi or Mugabe !!! What matters is a concern for the welfare of the Zimbabwean masses and the lack of this trait is emerging out of the MDC. Talking of corruption, Tsvangi may be a principled man but, like RMG, it is those surrounding him who are going to spoil things. They are corrupt, believe it or not. These MDC cadres are all proven criminals and rotten maggots. Most of us Zimbabweans are ... we tend towards a dog-eat-dog situation. THats the nature of us Zimbabweans at the moment. Whether RMG goes now or in ten years time does not matter much, we are rotten apples. This is the truth. A corrupt people deserve a corrupt administration. TATAMBURA TOITEIKO

It does not matter which son/daughter of Gt Zimbabwe is the head of the government ... Tsvangi or Mugabe !!! What matters is a concern for the welfare of the Zimbabwean masses and the lack of this trait is emerging out of the MDC. Talking of corruption, Tsvangi may be a principled man but, like RMG, it is those surrounding him who are going to spoil things. They are corrupt, believe it or not. These MDC cadres are all proven criminals and rotten maggots. Most of us Zimbabweans are ... we tend towards a dog-eat-dog situation. THats the nature of us Zimbabweans at the moment. Whether RMG goes now or in ten years time does not matter much, we are rotten apples. This is the truth. A corrupt people deserve a corrupt administration. TATAMBURA TOITEIKO

It does not matter which son/daughter of Gt Zimbabwe is the head of the government ... Tsvangi or Mugabe !!! What matters is a concern for the welfare of the Zimbabwean masses and the lack of this trait is emerging out of the MDC. Talking of corruption, Tsvangi may be a principled man but, like RMG, it is those surrounding him who are going to spoil things. They are corrupt, believe it or not. These MDC cadres are all proven criminals and rotten maggots. Most of us Zimbabweans are ... we tend towards a dog-eat-dog situation. THats the nature of us Zimbabweans at the moment. Whether RMG goes now or in ten years time does not matter much, we are rotten apples. This is the truth. A corrupt people deserve a corrupt administration. TATAMBURA TOITEIKO

If I responded to this fool Akapfunde right now my post would be flagged as abusive. I need to cool off first and meanwhile allow some good people out there to respond.

akapfunde, that sure was a true confession of what your maggot self stands for. Dog-eat-dog is not the nature of all Zimbabweans but the nature of Mugabe and you Zanu-pf lot and as for rotten apples, once again, talk for Mugabe and yourself as you are constantly wagging your tail at him. You certainly are a corrupt lot and decent Zimbabweans do not deserve such a stinking rotten, and incapable government. Which of the MDC ministers are proven criminals and under whose courts? You mean Mugabe's courts with corruptly bribed judges? Tell us which ones, what portfolio they hold in MDC, and what crimes they were found guilty of. I bet you can't because you are making up stories to discredit MDC. You will not succeed so get stuffed.