Makoni is an agent of the state! Like Operation Murambasvina, his role is to fracture support for MDC and give the elections an air of contestability and legitimacy. What people need to understand is that the upcoming ekection is anything but. It is a carefully chereographed charade with a preordained outcome - the continued stranglehold of Zanu PF on the country. A regime that allows the complete and utter collapse of the identity of Zimbabweans in return for power will stoop at nothing and so it is in this light that Makoni should be seen. Having worn down MDC, Mugabe is now taping into the collective weariness with the MDC due to its failure to wrest and mount an effective challange on MUgabe. Mugabe is a wily murderous desot, and far from create a positive shift int the country's political terrian for the better, Makoni will see to it that Mugabe dies in harness with the his country feeding on the leftover from his overflowing plate. His ranks along Hitler i his contempt of human suffering, the man and women in subjected by their ill gotten gains are the himlers and the SAS's of their Reich for which justice will be meted. This period like all dark peiods will come to pass. But it would be foolish and indeed gullible to think Makoni will play a part. We need to conquer and take the battle to the enemy.

Thank Benjamin for standing up in defence of Tsvangirai's record. I had actually become worried with the stance most of the intellectuals are taking. It looks like these people although educated can easily be swayed by things that just pass like a whirlwind. I should saw you are in a class of your own because very few educated people understand the importance of information and in particular the specialists in the field-Librarians. By the way am a librarian and happened to know what you are talking about as I was at Harare Polytechnic at the same time as the late Nomore Sibanda.

I have read in dismay articles put on websites like Mutumwa Maweres. They glorify Simba Makoni as if he has done anything for the people of Zimbabwe. I actually put a comment to the effect that why should we be excited about nothing. Its important to note some of these intellectuals ( Mawere and Mandaza)propping up Makoni are ZANU PF renegades. They benefited from ZANU PF hegemony. These are people not interested with change but opportunists who want to preserve the status quo through the back door.

You have correctly outlined Tsvangirai's achievements and I do not need to repeat them here. Some of us fully appreciate him because we actually saw him rise to power, from his days with the powerful miners workers union in Bindura, to the secretary general of ZCTU and ultimately as president of mdc. Tsvangirai stood up at a time when Simba was in the comfort of ZANU PF. I do not understand why any-one should think that Makoni can ever be president when he has pledged his loyalty to Zanu pf. These people think its only Mugabe who should go but I say people are fed up with Zanu pf and want to see its whole machinery dismantled. People want change and they are going to vote for change. Morgan not Simba represents change. Makoni should not under-estimate the intellect of ordinary Zimbabweans by thinking that he can deceive the electorate. The people of Zimbabwe know when its time for change.Who could have thought that the people of Zimbabwe could vote out Muzorewa in 1980 after they had voted for him overwhelmingly in 1979. This was not because ZANU PF had campaigned but the people knew it was time for change. 28 yeras in power and ZANU PF have destroyed the economy and people are convinced 2008 (1980) is a year for change. Maybe there is something magical about 8 and zero.

Thanks Benji. I think we should have more article like yours to counter the so called Makoni factor. I think the Obama factor (change) which Tsvangirai represents will triumph. Remember Egypt Dzinemunenzva who has been contesting presidential elections since 1995? This is the way Makoni and all his renegades will go.

Hello Zimbabwe. We need to leave Makoni alone. I would want to see a person who has not failed before. If he actually failed at SADC then he is a better candidate than Mugabe and Tsvangirayi. He didn't hold on to the position as Robert and Morgan are doing. Robert and Morgan have both failed Zimbabwe than the modest Simba. In 2005 or 2004 Simba Makoni was chosen as a SADC candidate for the presidency of African Development Bank. He was supported by Mugabe. How would Mugabe push Simba for the international post if he had fired him for incompetence. This tells me that the Hon. President Mugabe knows that Simba is able to perform his duties. What we need to get rid of in Zimbabwe are the two dictators Mugabe and Tsvangirai, who are masquarading as the champions of Zimbabwean politics and yet are serving thier selfish egos.

Zimabwweans lets rally hehind Simba he has all the qualities of a leader look at his history. One thing that we must all know at the moment is all people in Zanupf now are disgrantled. They are only afraid to face reality. People fear the old man somuch that they can not standup to say their feelings openly. Now we have a man who has the guts to stand against this monister lets help ourselves out of this dilemma by joining hands with him Simba. People like Tswangirai are only afraid to swallow their pride but come elections they donot perform. We are sick and tired of blank promises Mr Morgan. You are always crying after lossing elections so are we to continue crying? NO,we are trying new people,its high time you joing Simba's wagon or you are to cry the more after elections. We also have people like Chinos leave him like that to him there is no live after Mugabe.He is good at commenting and he forgets quickly. The Tslotsho saga he go himself suspended by the same oldman he wants to continue licking the ass.

LEONARD

what's your definition of fear. most people say they "MPs and Cabinet ministers" fear Mugabe i don't think so. They are benefiting so much by the fact that Mugabe is still in power. Everyone knows that Harare has become a capitol of cash crime. People are buying big cars cash, do you think they give a dime for change in Zimbabwe? A change that will see them being who they really are-(criminals). Simba is an intellectual of-course, but i have second thoughts on supporting someone backed by a bunch of crooks who are trying to use politics as their ground for business interesets protection battle. There is speculation that Makoni is backed by Mujuru family, Dumiso Dabengwa and Zvinavashe. If you look closely this speculation came as a result of a business battle between Munangagwa and the Mujurus. Now tell me if Makoni stand for who he is he should have come out fresh, resigned from politbro and leave anything to do with Zanu PF but he can't because his aim,nah, not his aim, their aim with whoever is backing him is to get a side that will bring fear into Zanu and bring back the we are all crooks platform. Makoni is an obvious looser unless if he join forces with MDC (Tsvangirai faction) which he can't do since Tsvangirai will tell him to chase away the Mujurus. People he is going to win he is an intellectual, he has leadership skill he has achieved this and that. What exactly? Who knows the African development Bank in Murambinda? No! Who knows Zim Papers in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe? No! What's his basis of declaring victory here? Unless if its a hidden statement, pointing out that he made a deal with MUgabe that he is going to be appointed successor then he is a lunatic. Jacob Zuma would be a better one.

what's your definition of fear. most people say they "MPs and Cabinet ministers" fear Mugabe i don't think so. They are benefiting so much by the fact that Mugabe is still in power. Everyone knows that Harare has become a capitol of cash crime. People are buying big cars cash, do you think they give a dime for change in Zimbabwe? A change that will see them being who they really are-(criminals). Simba is an intellectual of-course, but i have second thoughts on supporting someone backed by a bunch of crooks who are trying to use politics as their ground for business interesets protection battle. There is speculation that Makoni is backed by Mujuru family, Dumiso Dabengwa and Zvinavashe. If you look closely this speculation came as a result of a business battle between Munangagwa and the Mujurus. Now tell me if Makoni stand for who he is he should have come out fresh, resigned from politbro and leave anything to do with Zanu PF but he can't because his aim,nah, not his aim, their aim with whoever is backing him is to get a side that will bring fear into Zanu and bring back the we are all crooks platform. Makoni is an obvious looser unless if he join forces with MDC (Tsvangirai faction) which he can't do since Tsvangirai will tell him to chase away the Mujurus. People he is going to win he is an intellectual, he has leadership skill he has achieved this and that. What exactly? Who knows the African development Bank in Murambinda? No! Who knows Zim Papers in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe? No! What's his basis of declaring victory here? Unless if its a hidden statement, pointing out that he made a deal with MUgabe that he is going to be appointed successor then he is a lunatic. Jacob Zuma would be a better one.

Benj, you are constipated. you go to the loo and nothing comes out. you feel very bad for Morgiza's shortcomings, to the extent of attacking his opposition. you can't rise by taking other men down. We haven't heard Morgan's policies that are in touch with the electorate. I won't slate his strategy but this must be his fourth shot at power, and its proved elusive. If Makoni fails in his bid, YOU should applaud him for his balls. back then SADCC was not as cohesive as it is now so for you to equate SADCC to SADC is misleading.

Try try try again. if you fail for the fourth time, give others a chance. Here is my dig, Tsvangirai is not president material. Activist yes, but not a man who can stand firmly for what i believe at international level. Guys get a grip

These criticisms on Dr Simba Makoni are weak!!Like every other leader Simba Makoni had to leave SADC one day.There is a rumour that he was fired,he was not fired!!He served three terms,give the man a break.No one can rule forever.In the early 80's Dr Makoni was always critical of the government and corruption.That is the reason he was pushed to SADC to get him out of the way.At Zimpapers he clashed with one of Mugabe's relatives who was the editor of the Sunday Mail because it was too pro-government.During his time at Zimpapers The Herald was critical of the government!!When he was Minister of Finance he was not spinless like the author above has described him.You cannot devalue the Zimbabwean dollar without the approval of the President.He approached Mugabe and told him the Zim dollar needs to be devalued and the President refused,so how is he spineless????Thats the reason he was no longer Finance Minister because he is a genuine man that clashed with a bunch of corrupt people.Not everyone opposed to Mugabe has to form a political party and challenge him,that is not the only way.Simba Makoni was smart enough to realise that forming a political party would just mean oppresion and him not having influence anymore.He was trying to reform ZANU PF from within.

Dr Simba Makoni does not have a history of failiures,but he has a history of transparency and success.It is the political sysytem in Zimbabwe that limits the influence that intellectuals like Dr Makoni have on the nations affairs.