Tsvangirai typifies ingratitude in its rawest form. When Mbeki succeeded in getting the first deal we did not hear Tsvangirai utter a word of gratitude. All along the MDC leader has tried to suggest that if Mbeki had come up with a big stick and bashed Mugabe's head we would already have had a political settlement in Zimbabwe. Poor Mbeki is being used as a scapegoat for the inept leadership coming out of Zimbabwe (from both government and opposition). The truth is that neither Tsvangirai nor Mugabe is better than the other. Each one is blinded by greed and doesn't care seeing their countryfolk rot away as long as they get the Ministry of Home affairs. What a shame!!

I agree with the assessment of Tsvangirayi as someone who is not grateful. Mbeki is the one who gave him the March 2008 victory he keeps shouting about - he is the one who denied himself an outright victory by having a split MDC (due to his dictatorial tendencies) and unwise withdrawal from the runoff. Now Mbeki had given him a second bite of the cherry through the power sharing agreement but he is again insulting his only benefactor. He has also insulted all SADC leaders as well as Carter, Anan and Tutu. The guy just does not have it.

Let us also consider the shameful ignorance displayed by Botswana's foreign minister, Phandu Skelemani:

1)" "Nobody recognizes that he's the head of any state ..de facto (President Mugabe) is there but not in terms of the law." What "law" is he referring to? The law that applies is that of Zimbabwe. As far as the world knows, Cde Mugabe became President of Zimbabwe after having satisfied all the requirements of the Zim constitution. [And as far as we know, that constitution does NOT specify that the president has to share power with anyone else - and that all political parties MUST be incorporated in the government.] If he knows otherwise, then he must tell us so.

[What does this minister say about Kenya where the current 'president' and his cronies altered ballots and swore himself in as the president? Jimmy Carter monitored those elections. And respectable USA media declared the opposition candidate the winner. Close Kenya's border, anyone?]

" .. the international community should tell Mugabe to his face .. we are closing the borders "

Is he appealing to the same international community that stands by as thousands are tortured, raped and slaughtered in Iraq and a civilization is razed - FOR NOTHING? Is that the same international community of the colonialism and slave trade fame? Maybe this minister knows no history - or even current events. .

Maybe he needs to ponder this: Iraq was invaded for nothing. And his international community and church stood by, and still supports, the invaders. And sanctions were applied to, and war waged on, Iraq which - for over a decade - has led to the early deaths of nearly a million kids from malnutrition and opportunistic diseases. If sanctions are applied on Botswana or the country is invaded by the imperial powers FOZR NOTHING, what will Botswana's foreign minister say to the imperial BBC?

I wonder what the ancestors of the people of Botswana that were tortured, raped, slaughtered and their lands commandeered by these same foreigners would say to this clueless yahoo of a minister?

And what would we hear from the spirit of Chief Lobengula whose people of maZimbabwe who were killed en masse by Cecil Rhodes using biological Weapons of Mass destruction?

When other countries or people from other nations look at what is going on in Africa, they think we are far away from civilization. Africa must change soon. Our economic problems will not be solved very easily. However, we need to change the way we do things. We need to learn how to lead our own nations and develop change strategies, stop fighting one another, stop upport other countries and people. Old or young leaders can only be respected and accepted if they are able to bring good things to our countries; not shame, corruption and war. I love Africa - PM

This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.

This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.

Hitler emerged from an economic situation that was created parly by the British empire after the end of WW1, at that time the germans were subjected to WW1 repartion payment by the the Imperial British empire and this gave forth to an austere socity that would be a breed ground for facsism. British aims among other was to creat a nation state that would fight the Russians for it, and they got one from Hitter germany only for the same to turn around and direct its weaponly to its won breeder; that is the British Empire, this did destroy the material part of the empire but not its intent, not its genocidal objective. Look at any genocide happening in the world now and it has a mark of the British empire. Kagame Rwanda, for example was designed to turn a french speaking coutry in to anEnglish speaking country, Look at Congo,

Now with Zimbabwe, they will eventually create a country that does not only goes contrary to the SA wishes but can counter its dominion if need be. That is the evil of the British empire that no one want.

Beynd Africa the British empire want to bankrupt the US and turn it again, against both the China and the the Russians and have it fight its own war. The British empire is a great admirer of the the persians, remember the Hitler Germany had in its ideology the "Aryan race" this word can be traced back to the Iran, the persian. The British empire have seen that the US has fought a war for Iran and defeated its arch enemy the Iraq without much of any resource from the Iran, the British think of this as an idea that can be repeated if it is well studied and given time to be adopted. I that case the British empire will alway recruit the US to fight its battle with a double aim, to detroy its won enemies and eventually to get the US detroyed and the British empire will resurrect back to life and carry out its genocidal aims at will. So all of you, you must take note and be caerful for the future is bleak.

Vision For Africans - Neither look east nor west but look to Africa for the pursuit of African interests.

It is unfortunate that Africans do not learn from the past and hence fail to shape and come up with a clear vision for the future. Whether we look to the east nor to the west, what we must understand is that the east nor the west have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies but only have permanent interests. If we look at history, there are many examples that can be sighted. Americans bombed the Japanese at Hiroshima but fought together in the Iraq War. Talk about Taiwan and China. These two countries have been enemies for years but are now making frantic efforts to mend relations. Saddam Hussein was a darling of the Americans and was even supported by the Americans during the Iraq-Iran war. Where is he now? Bin Laden was trained by the CIA. Now he is the most wanted terrorist. Talk about democracy. Musharaf of Pakistan was supported by the western countries and yet he got into power through a coup-de-tat. Kaddaffi of Libya was until recently labelled as one of the axis of evil but now is a darling of the western countries. They are all falling over each other trying to recognise him. He has been in power for 39 years and nobody from the west nor east queries this. In an unprecedented move and the first of its kind in the post colonial era, Italy acknowledged to Libya that atrocities were committed by Italy during the 30 years of colonialism and offered to pay reparations - US$100 million every month for a period of 5 years totalling US$6 billion. Another country that was part of the axis of evil is North Korea. The US has removed North Korea from that list and yet there is no change in government. So what really made them change their mind if the government they hated so much is still in power? Nelson Mandela and the top ANC leadership were only removed from the terrorist list sometime this year. A number of people will take this is a joke and yet this is a fact. When these gallant sons were eventually removed from the terrorist list through their own initiative, there was no media francy about it both in the west and in the east. The African media was totally silent about it including the ZANU-PF and ANC media. Yet, the west and also the east will do anything to be identified with Nelson Mandela now. Robert Mugabe and the Patriotic Front (both Zanu and Zapu) were branded terrorist. When we got our independence, Robert Mugabe was a darling of the west. He was showered with praise wherever he went. He was given honorary degrees and the Queen of England, the British Government and its parliament were so fond of him that they accorded him a rare Honour (in the United Kingdom) - that of Knighthood. He was and is still Knight Robert Gabriel Mugabe. When Knight Robert Gabriel Mugabe crossed the path of the British, he was almost about to be given the highest honour, that of being called Sir Robert Mugabe like our neighbours, the late Sir Seretse Khama. If I am not mistaken, there is also Sir Kwetumile Masire. Sir Ian Khama, Sir Seretse Khama's son is next in line when you look at the trend. Tsvangirai has now been in the limelight for ten years. Time will tell whether history will repeat itself but so far indications are that a Knight Morgan Tsvangirai and later Sir Morgan Tsvangirai is in the offing. We will of cause start competing with Botswana when we have Sir Moyo and then Sir Biti or vice-versa. Unfortunately or shall I say fortunately for Khupe, these titles are not gender sensitive for an unknown reason. Well this is fine since this is Tsvangirai's choice but I think that just the few examples I have sighted above clearly show that the west nor the east have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies but only permanent interests. Tsvangirai should look into the future and ask himself this question? "What will happen to me if for some fundamental reason I decide to cross the path or decide to disagree with the west?"

I resting my case, I would like to appeal to fellow Africans for us to build a vision where each one of us will neither look to the east nor look to the west but look to Africa in pursuit of our African interests. This does not mean that we will not interact with the west nor the east, but in doing so, each one of us should be guided by the vision of achieving our African interests for the betterment and upliftment of all Africans always bearing in mind that the east nor the west have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies but only permanent interests.

NdiniwoNyikadzino – 27 11 08

At Last. !!!

This is the first indication that the Regional governments are losing confidence in the negotiations. More than that, they are saying they support positive action against the Mugabe Regime.

I hope more join them.!!!!!

Well, Dave there are no more stooges in the SADC if you are looking for them. The only traitor there is the Botswana gov't who has forgotten how the Zimbabweans people helped them fought the racist regimes of Apartheid, when the Daves of this world were treating black people worst than they treat their pets! The type of arrogance of Morgan to regional group will take him no where, and the west wouldn't save him! He is fighting hard to sell Zimbabwe to the west, but he wouldn't succeed. Zimbabwe was won by fire and blood, and the revolutionaries are still in control. Real independence is better than some kind of stoogemanship you guys want Zimbabwe to accept. If Morgan thinks he is fooling people, he is fooling himself, and he should be kicked out of the country to go live in the west. He is a selfish power hungry stooge, and I think he is dump too, because they would have formed a transitional government, stabalises the country, and organize an election in three or four years which I would think he would win. But he is taking the advice from the greedy west, who are more interested in Zimbabwe resources than governance. In other countries including the so-called west, Morgan would have been in jailed for treason and allying himself with foreign governments against his country.!!

Dear J kama Wed Nov 26 18:44:56 2008

Your ignorance is only surpassed by your stupidity. People are dying because the regime you support will not admit their is a Cholera epidemic or Food distribution problem.

Whatever your political views..you cannot say this is acceptable...Or can you?

When this is over and pple are free to express themselves..You will be the first beneficiary. Most Zims can't..WHY?

There goes the supporters on Tvangarai and Nkundas of our times, everything to them is as written by the British and the US media. No deriberation, no looking between the lines, to them it is all true. The governments are bad the opposition tois is most democratic, most holy cause, the war loadism is justified. All sorts of things that only ignorants can not see through, I repeat to them Tvingarai and Nkunda are American and EU/British made personalities they will never access power because they are traitors.

There goes the supporters on Tvangarai and Nkundas of our times, everything to them is as written by the British and the US media. No deriberation, no looking between the lines, to them it is all true. The governments are bad the oppositions are the most democratic, most holy causes, the war-lordism is justified. All sorts of things that only ignorants cannot see through. I repeat to them Tvingarai and Nkunda are American and EU/British made personalities they will never access power because they are traitors.

Why must africans always each other traitors and coackroaches and all sorts of stuff.

Why cant africans accept defeat and learn from it without being defensive?

It is about time africans change their perceptions on how to deal with democracy and liberation, this applies from Cape to Cairo, we must really re-examine ourselves, we have no love for each other.

It keeps getting hard to accept that I am african, why do we hate each other so much, why dont we care when our brothers and sisters are dying of hunger and cholera and violence in the congo, why do we keep justifying mugabe's presidency after a decade of judiciary collapse in zim.

Some of you writing here are very educated, you have good living standards.

No matter how educated and intelligent you may, your arguments carry no value to me unless they reconstruct this continent and uplift the lives of our people.

I do think Mbeki needs to be replaced !!!!

Hahaha dont make me laugh. if you can come up with a reason why Tsvangarai shouldn't be in power then i am sure we would all like to hear it. If you are going to say British this and US that then we all laugh at you harder unless you come up with some hard evidence to suggest these Western powers want re colonize Zimbabwe. Hear ill give you three reasons why Tsvangarai should be in power based on the facts everyone knows already. 1. he was the clear winner of the elections 2.The second round was deemed un free & un fair because of Mugabe and his bunch. 3. for 28 years the country has been slowly run into the ground. There is three legitimate reasons why he should be in power and not the murderer who illegally is. Facts is all we ask for, not the baseless propaganda spew that you and your murdering mates seem to think will change peoples views.

Yes I can come up with a reason. It is very well known how he was conniving with the selous scouts during the war of liberation.He sold out liberation fighters between 1978 and 1980 and there is a myths that he went straight to the mines after deserting the war. He actually got involved in selling out during that period. Ask him where he was between mid 1978 and 1980 and see his reaction. In the so called democracies a war deserter does not rule a country. Better someone who just did not go. So why do they want us to be ruled by treasonous cowards if they cant accept it. We all know his contacts in South Africa who are former Rhodesians who he established contacts with way back in 1978. They still live to this day and now you tell me we should just watch while this chap connives with our enemies. This guy will surely be killed if he comes anyway near power. Those who bore the brunt of the struggle will never ever ever allow him to rule. Mark my words.If he could he would have taken over in March after the elections.

So in the mean time you will suffer in your self induced filth. You've only got yourself and people like yourself to blame. Enjoy!

There you ZANU PF suppoters what got into you that you don't realise the shit we are in.You keeep on supporting a rotten and old part that has nothing to offer .How many times has the MDC been telling you to form your cabinet.You want to rule then go ahead.Why have been refusing to form the cabinet.The MDC claims they are withdrawing from theUnity govt you start to cry,yet you want to rule.We are sick and tired of that old man and ZANU PF thats why the former ZAPU members are deserting because they have found reality that Mugabe and ZANU PF are as good as nothing.History will judge you because you are making Zimbabweans destitutes in their motherland.You claim to be saints ,but there is no saint whi is so cruel as you.You think Mugabe will die in power forget it go consult your n'anga again and he will tell you the truth else get your mney back.

Another brainwashed fool. Take a look at the state of Zimbabwe, the thousands dying, the lack of medicines, schools closing, money being stolen by the government, rigged elections, the 14th most corrupt government in the world, altered GNU agreements etc etc etc. The facts all speak for themselves.

Here is a report that you should read. Just shows how tangles the web is visa vie Mugabe, Mbeki, Dos Santos et al. Just shows why they cannot let Mugabe go. The web of corrupt Practice and Politics in the SADC region

As part of an effort by the MDC to disrupt the flow of cash to Mr. Mugabe's regime I have been researching some of the financial interests of Zanu (PF) and its top leadership. Those interests seem to network strongly with senior politicians in The Congo, Angola, Namibia, Malawi and South Africa. All of these countries support Mugabe and are vocal in Africa opposing any deal that might compromise Mugabe. Mugabe's right hand man in The Congo, Billy Rautenbach stands accused of bribing South Africa's Police Commissioner. Interestingly Mbeki has done all he can to stop the investigation, including sacking the Director of The National Prosecution Authority, arresting the man investigating Selebi and disbanding the elite anti corruption squad; The Scorpions.

Below I list a summary of my research. Unfortunately I have to start with a brief summary of The Congo wars to understand the current military and financial forces in Southern Africa at present.

Let's start the story in August 1998.

Laurent Kabila (Senior), the newly installed leader of The Democratic Republic of The Congo is in big trouble . The D.R.C. was previously called Zaire under Mobutu's reign. Kabila had only overthrown Mobutu a year before and had only managed that with the help of Rwanda's disciplined RPF forces and the Ugandan military. Rwanda had invaded Zaire/The Congo to pursue the genocidal Hutu Interhamwe militias who were continuing their genocide against Tutsis in the Congolese areas surrounding Rwanda. But the Rwandan forces did not stop there and in association with Kabila conquered the rest of The Congo, including the mineral rich Katanga Province.

Kabila was initially hailed as a savior in The Congo having finally rid the Congolese of Mobutu's tyrannical regime which had plundered the country for decades. It soon became apparent however that Kabila was every bit as bad and corrupt as Mobutu. He was also having problems with internal rebellions and the fact that the Ugandan and Rwandan forces were showing no signs of leaving The Congo. Far from leaving they were consolidating their control of the vital mineral rich Katanga province. In August 1998 he ordered that the Ugandan and Rwandan forces leave The Congo along with all ethnically Tutsi Congolese.

The Rwandans and Ugandans replied by sending more troops to overthrow Kabila. This started the Second Congo war in which 5.4 million people died making it the deadliest war since the Second World War. The Ugandan and Rwandan backed rebels had quick and dramatic victories over Kabila's forces and within two weeks it seemed he would be ousted imminently.

On April 19, Kabila flew to Harare and met Mugabe who at that time was heading SADC's Organ on Politics and Defence. Three Three SADC countries; Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia came to his immediate rescue. They were later joined by Sudan and Libya. It is alleged that Kabila signed $200 million worth of deals with Mugabe.

Once the Katanga province had been secured by Mugabe and Kabila's forces, Mugabe and Mnangagwa insisted that Billy Rautenbach lead Gecamines, Congo's state's mining company. Through Operation Sovereign Legitimacy (OSLEG) the Zimbabwean military involved itself in all sorts of mining deals. These are well documented in a UN report.

Namibian President Sam Nujoma also secured many contracts for his own businesses and those of his family. They remain heavily involved in The Congo's mining activity. Namibians worth investigating include The Permanent Secretary for Defence, Erastus Negona, T . Lamec, David Shimuuino, Army Chief Major General Shalli, Deputy Police Commissioner Fritz Nghiishililiwa and Police Inspector General Raonga Andima.

The Angolans grabbed the opportunity to invade their enemy UNITA's bases within the Congo. Until then UNITA had been involved in an illegal diamond scheme estimated to be worth about $500 million a year by De Beers. This then came under the possession on senior Angolan generals and politicians. The Angolans are listed second only to Zimbabwe in corruption lists of Southern Africa. In 2004 Human Rights Watch said that $4 billion was missing from the government's finances. "Angolagate" is shocking because it involved senior French Government officials, not least of whom was incumbent President Mitterrand's son, Jean Charles Mitterand. Jacques Jacques Chirac's knowledge of the deal is implicated too. Mitterand, Minister Pasqua and others were convicted in 2004 of tax evasion. In 2007 an investigative magistrate recently been indicted 42 people including Mitterand and Minister Pasqua.

On the issue of presidents sons, I have been unable to link Simon Mann and Mark Thatcher's attempted coup to any particular African politician. The fact that they landed in Harare for their arms makes it extremely likely that some Zanu politicians were involved before the deal turned sour. Both Thatcher and Rautenbach, and Rautenbach's son, are rally drivers.

So much for Zimbabwe, The DRC, Angola and Namibia. The story now jumps to May 2007 and to Pretoria, South Africa.

South Africa had an elite anti corruption investigative unit called The Scorpions. The Scorpions consisted of 2000 of the best police, financial, forensic and intelligence experts in South Africa. They came into being after the passing of The National Prosecuting Authority Act, 32 of 1998. This was one of Mandela's last projects before he stepped down in 1999. The Scorpions answered to the Head of The National Prosecuting Authority, not to The Commissioner of Police.

When Mandela took over in South Africa he appointed a professional Policeman, George Fivaz, as his Commissioner of Police. Mbeki replaced him Jackie Selebi who had no police experience whatsoever but was a trusted ANC man. He has been described as "the gatekeeper" of the ANC ; privy to all it's financial dealings. It appears that in 1999, as Mandela stepped down, South Africa involved itself in a controversial arms deal totaling $US4.8 billion. It appears over $200 million was paid in bribes. The Scorpions were investigating increasingly more senior members of The ANC about the deal. Names included Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, Zuma's financial adviser Schabir Shaik, his brother Chippy Shaik and Joe Modise, founder of the ANC's military wing and then minister of defence.

The Scorpions brought a successful prosecution against Schabir Shaik, Zuma's financial adviser. Shaik was given two 15 year imprisonment sentences. The Scorpions then turned their attention to Jacob Zuma, then Deputy President. Zuma's house was raided repeatedly. On 28 December 2007 The Scorpions served Zuma an indictment to stand trial in The High Court on counts of racketeering, money laundering, corruption and fraud.

During 2007 the Scorpions started to become concerned about Jackie Selebi, Mbeki's Commissioner of Police.

Selebi, it turns out, had been up to all sorts of unsavory business. His personal friend Glenn Angliotti turned out to be a mafia kingpin and drug dealer. Selebi claims they never discussed Agliotti's criminal activities but does admit to warning him of a British Intelligence request for information about him. Agliotti funded Selebi to the tune of about $170 000. Part of this funding was used to successfully lobby for Selebi's appointment as head of Interpol. Interestingly Zimbabwe's Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri has also had senior positions in Interpol. The senior Interpol positions are said to be useful in covering international money laundering and corruption tracks.

Among many other charges of corruption it is alleged that Selebi, in full police uniform, met Billy Rautenbach's lawyer and accepted US$ 40 000 to have the corruption charges against Billy Rautenbach dropped. Besides being Mnangagwa's right hand man, it turns out that Billy Rautenbach had many other financial projects. One of them was a transport company called "Wheels of Africa" which dominated SADC transport, especially up to The Congo. Through this he also had the exclusive deal for Sub Saharan Africa for Volvo and Saab. But it wasn't for his Volvo and Saab trucks that he got into trouble but rather his part in the sale of 35 BAe Saab/Volvo Gripen fighter planes which he allegedly sold to The South African government at the hugely inflated price of $65 million per plane (their real value was probably about $35 million).

Rautenbach's company Camtec acquired the Bougai and Kironde platinum concessions in Zimbabwe in April this year with an alleged payment of $100 million to a Zanu chef.

Mbeki's response to the charges laid out in front of him in May 2007 by the National Prosecuting Authority boss Vusi Pikoli against Police Commissioner Selebi was astonishing.

Instead of doing anything about Selebi, Mbeki in fact sacked the National Prosecuting Authority boss Vusi Pikoli, saying that there had been an irretrievable breakdown in the professional relationship of Vusi Pikoli and the Minister for Justice. The Scorpion Policeman investigating Commissioner Selebi, Gerric Nel, then found himself arrested on charges of "perverting the course of Justice."

The National Prosecuting Authority is still trying to pursue the case but fears the case will fall apart as The South African Police Service refuses to hand over vital documents on "security grounds". These include the details of Rautenbach's deal. Mbeki caused a stir last week by extending Jacki Selebi's contract. Mbeki has since had the Scorpions disbanded.

The most damning evidence though comes from The ANC's own Andrew Feinstein. Feinstein was head of The ANC's Parliamentary Public Accounts watchdog SCOPA. He was shocked when he tried to launch an investigation into the affair and was told that there was a financier, close to Mbeki and Zuma, who was off limits to his investigation. Feinstein resigned in disgust and wrote a book " After The Party" which has scandalized South African and international political commentators.

In view of these allegations listed above I believe the world should be very circumspect of any deals Mbeki negotiates. especially in mineral rich areas such as Darfur.

The story now moves to Blantyre, Malawi where President Mutharika astounded Malawian journalists last week when he told them to stop the negative reporting about Mugabe and Zimbabwe. He has since said he recognizes Mugabe as Zimbabwe's legitimate President. His brother and Vice President Peter Mutharika attended Mugabe's inauguration ceremony. Mutharika has many suspect ties with Mugabe's regime. He has diverted huge amounts (300 000 tonnes) of maize to Zanu PF, most recently during the just passed Zimbabwean election. There has been no entry in Malawian National Food Reserves Agency's regarding these deals. Similarly he has supplied Mugabe with fuel and also tear gas which killed 11 Zimbabweans in a single incident in 2005. Interestingly Mutharika has a farm in Zimbabwe, which is guarded by Mugabe's Presidential Guard.

Mutharika's past also merits some investigation. He was sacked when he was Secretary General of COMESA in 1995 for stealing money and diverting it to his Zimbabwean farm. He came to power in Malawi as The UDF's presidential candidate after the incumbent, Muluzi, had served the specified maximum number of terms. Soon after he came to power he began upsetting senior UDF and government people. His response was depressingly familiar. He undermined the Anti Corruption Bureau and then replaced the heads of the offices of The Director of Public Prosecutions and The Police Commissioner with trusted political associates. He had Muluzi arrested and Muluzi is currently being tried. Muluzi has dismissed the documents the state has offered to make its case as "laughable and fake." Their blatant forgery is reminiscent of many trials in Zimbabwe, such as that of Tendai Biti. The Zimbabwean CIO are said to be increasingly active in Malawi.

I have never read such a disjointed piece of work. It would help you if you could at least get your dates right. For starters, our army did not go into the Congo in April 1998. To be specific, the first batch of soldiers left Suri-Suri airbase on 14 August 1998. And di d Mutharika get a farm in Zim in 1995? This story of yours could be intresting to some drunkards enjoying a beer at Keg somewhere but some of us dont buy some disjointed kark.

However disjointed and out of date it might be, at least it has some elements of truth in it which if one dig deep enough a trend can emerge.

Sometimes I wonder whether some of these people commenting about Zimbabwe are talking about the same Zimbabwe I know. The Zimbabwe I was born in (when it was robber Rhodes' property), grew up in, I fought for (when it was robber Rhodes and Muzorewa's mad place called Zimbabwe Rhodesia). And I am talking of people like Dave. Where do people get this insulting notion that Zimbabweans are not free to express themslves, are cowards because they do not violently remove Mugabe etc, etc. Talking about cholera. Do people like Dave know the origins of cholera in Zimbabwe? Just a little enlightment. Cholera together with anthrax, were used as biological warfare weapons by Smith and his diehard Rhodesians in an attempt to styme the inexorable march to independence that the war of liberation with Mugabe and Nkomo at the helm so assuredly promised. The seed for annual and perennial outbreaks was sown by these sadists. From that time around 1975, the scourge of cholera has been with us Zimbabweans and there is always an outbreak every year and in some places, cholera is a menace all year round. The current outbreak has been made worse by the breakdown of the water and sewer systems that have been hit hard by the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe (no sane person swallows that rubbish that the sanctions are targeted at Mugabe and a few of his friends - that is a tired and stale argument that is as naked as the African sun) by those that want to own and control Zimbabwe nezvese zvirimo (and all that is within it). And to say the authorities in Zimbabwe do not admit that there is a cholera outbreak and also food shortage necessitating mobilisation of resources as in management of emergenceies is to show a lack of touch with what is going on in Zimbabwe. Cholera has been declared an emergency by the government, which opens doors for anyone willing to help Zimbabweans fight the cholera to come in and do so. Zimbabwe has just signed a memorandum of understanding with the UN WFP worth $500 million to alleviate food shortages. The country has also, together with the UNDP, launched a consolidated appeal to raise resources to address health and food security matters in the country. And people like Dave utter nonsense in full display of their shallow understanding of what is happening in Zimbabwe. It is never helpful when ignorumuses comment on Zimbabwe in superior tones when what they know about Zimbabwe hardly half fills a Chinese tea cup.

J Kama, you really do talk nonsense. You say, "Real independence is better than some kind of stoogemanship you guys want Zimbabwe to accept." Now what is real independence but the freedom of Zimbabwean people to elect their own government. They elected MDC and Morgan Tsvangirai, so who is undermining the independence of Zimbabwe? None other than Mugabe and his stooges. You seem to think that calling Tsvangirai a stooge of the west seals your argument. Apart from the fact that you could not verify your claim about Tsvangirai, you totally ignore the fact that nobody has undermined the sovereignty and independence of the Zimbabwean people more than Mugabe.

J Kama, there is one thing that you should be really worried about and it is what you name suggests. Karma, and it is coming back to bite you hard. My fav part about you is you continually attack people who are trying to do the right thing by the Zimbabwean people and your only excuse for it is 'he is a stooge and she is a stooge and your a rhodie or a pom or someone who wants to colonise Zim again'. Give up, all that is is old garbage that has been shot down time and time again. All you and the rest of Mugabe's Thugs continually do is spew up the C*** that you get told by your disgraceful so called leader. That my friend makes you and the other cronies the only 'Stooges' here.

Karma, Zimbabwe voted and voted Tvangirai. Why won't you give him a chance. If he fails we will vote him out also. We decide who governs our country. You are a very ignorant person, people are dying and all you can say is stooges. I'm surprised you can even read, given your lack of critical thinking.

Hi !!! Folks,what saddens me in this issue concerning Zim is that many pple out of Zim seem to have more concern that some Zims themselves. If not, why will an oaf like Karma still continue in his myopism of actuality to support Mugabe? I'm not from Zim but when ever I browse thru allafrica and read these silly comments, I'm forced to comment. Infact, I really think ,when Mugabe will soon leave power as it's already evident, many of these skunks will go on exile, I don't knw where but in my country(Cameroon) most of these idiots won't be welcomed.

J.Kama and similar Mugabe bootlickers must apologize to Zimbos for supporting a murderer clinging to power illegitimately and causing untold misery to the citizens.

Sending Mugabe to the gallows will certainly bring general relief to Zimbos and allow them to make a fresh start in life, especially the upcoming generation.

You,re a liar, the S.A.D.C have not lost confidence in the negotiations in any way,the negotiations are ongoing and if anything, it,s Morgan Tsvangirai that,s slowing down negotiations,supposing his taking orders from his masters. The other day he was in France instead of being in his country to find ways to solve the problem with assistance from the S.A.D.C, forgetting that France does not have any boundary with Zimbabwe,those with borders with Zimbabwe where there and willing to find solutions and off he went to France,we know their(imperialist,s) tricks of divide and rule and time is running out on that tactics, that,s why they are brutalising Zimbabwe.He( Tsvangirai) is acting arrogant and disrespectful to fellow Africans who are searching for ways out of this political problem,he is crisscrossing the western capitals to tell his backers what and what,s being reached.The west has just selfish interest in the happenings in Zimbabwe,they should prove otherwise.One thing is for sure, the days of wanton looting are coming close to an end hence the aggressive tactics being employed by the imperialists who are still hellbent on continuing with the cheating and onesided form of trade that has characterised our long relationship.Mugabe has the right in taking back Zimbabwean land and that,s the reason he,s being besieged by imperialist forces bent on using him as an example to deter others.Why can,t African countries look for ways to harness the enormous opportunities that abound trading with one another,that should quickly be the new reasoning in the face of this wicked,shameless,sinister attitude from the west and their cronies.AFRICA;AFRICA! look more inwards,we can trade our resources for what we need, period.The African market is huge and almost a billion people, and untapped, why can,t we break this chain of bondage once and for all? Tactics have got to change,if the old tactics were,nt working.The only reason Zimbabwe is in this condition is because the whole economy has being tied to happenings outside of Africa and that we can avoid by being more Intra - Africa in approach.Long live Africa, long live Zimbabwe.

This is the most important development that has happened since last year when these talks started and Mbeki kept allowing Mugabe to do all the bad things that have brought us where we are. Like calling for elections unilaterally before the constitutional process, refusing to release results, causing violence, declaring an X will not lead to change in government, waging a farce of a re-run, instigating violence, appointing governers unilaterally; lately illegitimate Mugabe showed his collousness by refusing elders entry into a starving, ill and dying population. All this while under Mbeki's guard. This is a very positive development as it is clear Mbeki is somehow ocmpromised and never considers what is best for the peoples of Zimbabwe. Now to sink so low as to start talking of Europe, America and this silly African Solidarity - much like Mugabe - that is sickening. When will we have leaders who look at issues as they are without this silly and myopic reference to colonialism? Time has moved on and we are in a global village. SADC must wake up and stand firm, or admit failure and allow others to address this tragedy. People are dying, they have been dying all the time. If you have figures for Beit Bridge, that is because it is close to RSA and is easily reachable. What about the rest of the forgotten country side where people are buried without even burial orders. For Mugabe to refuse entry by elders at this juncture should tell everyone how insane he and his regime are at this stage, and how desperate the situation has become. The people inside Zimbabwe need urgent help, or the remaining will die. Perhaps the world is seeking virgin land whose inhabitants would have been eradicated by famine desease? I shudder to suggest that !

Adonia, you, just like Thabo Mbeki dont understand what the situation is on the ground. where are you writing from? I just hope you are not one of those somali pirates. Either from day one of negotiations Thabo Mbeki has tried to decieve the MDC into going ahead with the arrangement without legal instruments in place that will give the prime minister legal becking or Thabo Mbeki has been fooled by Robert mugabe throughtout. The later is not possible as Thabo is a very intelligent being. The reason why Robert Mugabe will not let MDC take control of the home affairs ministry is that in such a case the next elections in five years time (time flies)will be free and fair and then MDC will surely take power after which old Bob will/ may be arrested. Thabo Mbeki has no impartial and genuine relevance in this negotiation. Ghalema Motlante will come up with a workable solution but the best way now is to go for the Botswana suggestion.

MDC-T need some lessons in diplomacy. They have to make a decision whether they still want to participate in SADC talks or not before they go around attacking eveyone when decisions are not in their favour. The Zanu PF blame game seems to be cripping into MDC-T as well. Mbeki is hitting back for the attack MDC-T has hailed at him. They did the same thing with SADC leaders and surely the outcome was not in their favour. Biti, ndiwe wakaenda kuchikoro, you need to restrategize and decide how you want to proceed not kuti you get comments from all over the place from Sobotsviwe, Chamisa, yourseld all purpoting to speak on behalf of the party and issuing contradictory statements, its not helping your cause. You will attack everyone all the way to the UN and Russia and China will still be waiting for you, so restraegize.

As for this Botswana Foreng Minister, thank for your support, but you do not have to come up with ridiculous suggestions to close Zim borders when you know very well that people are dying and your solutions will only worsen the situation, i do not think that is the kind of help we are asking for, it is the last thing we want to hear given the situation on the ground. How do you go into Zimbabwe and drop food when you have closed the borders. We might agree on your principles stance and keep it that way, not to suggest solutions that will make the people suffer more.

When a dog gives birth puppies dont open their eyes at the same time, goes a shona saying. Now most SADC leaders are not seeing yet. Khama was first to see reality. A power hungry brutal murderous dictator playing the re-colonisation card accepted by a group of gullible neighbours. GOD SAVE US.

Skelemani told the BBC "..there is no government in Zimbabwe - de facto (President Mugabe) is there but not in terms of the law."

What then does he mean by "law"?

Goodness!

Couldn't the BBC find more knowledgeable people to interview? Or are we to understand that this clueless loudmouth the best representative of the African that can paraded by colonial BBC, a propaganda mouthpiece of the UK government?

[Maybe Africa's media can parade clueless Celtic yahoos to represent the best of British thought..]