The delay in announcing the results of the elections in Zimbabwe has brought all sorts of rumours and speculation.

The fact that yesterday was April Fool's Day didn't help!

But we are trying to sort the fact from the fiction and our correspondent Emma Hurd is now inside Zimbabwe.

We have already had a lot of emails from viewers in the country with their accounts of what is happening on the streets. And we would welcome any more.

Paul

Comments

[James South Africa 13 Apr 2008 11:54:27]

I would like to reply briefly to Brandon of NY. Do not paint Rhodesia and Ian Smith with the same brush as you would apartheid SA. All the atrocities commited in the socalled war of liberation against both black and white people was committed by Mugabe and Nkomo and Mugabe continues to do so today.
20 000 innocent Matabele mown down by the 5th brigade for instance. Ask ANY Zimbawean older enough to have gone through that period of history who he would prefer to live under, Mugabe or Smith and you would be shocked to hear the answer as Smith. You forget that when Mugabe falsely won the election after Lancaster House there was already a multi racial government in place in the country but Britain and the rest of the World never gave it a chance to work.

[Sandy Stamps in Spain ex Zim 12 Apr 2008 15:50:05]

As someone who knows and loved that country of my upbringing, I am appalled. Mugabe will rig the election results anyway, whenever they are announced. Brown and Bush won't act as Zimbabwe does not have OIL, so what is going to happen to all those suffering under Mugabe? He has to go. What has to happen to them all before the International Community does something? Oh, only another genocide. Then it will be too late.

[Emmanuel Port Harcourt Nigeria 11 Apr 2008 16:51:21]

Somedays back I told you that Mugabe sees Zimbabwe through his lens; 84 years old and dying. There's nothing wrong if they both go to the grave together. So much for nationalistic leadership. The whole world must rise and stop the ZANU-PF apartheid in Zimbabwe the way Ian Smith was stopped..

[Bradon - NY 9 Apr 2008 20:18:16]

IT IS TIME SKYNEWS REPORTERS LEAVE ZIMBABWE, BECAUSE THEY PRETEND TO BE THERE AS REPORTERS WHEN THEY HELP THE OPPOSITION TO SET THAT COUNTRY INTO CHAOS ONLY TO CLAIM IN THE MEDIA MUGABE IS RESPONSIBLE. WE ALL KNOW WHY AND WHO HAS SPONSORED SKYNEWS TO CARRY OUT SUCH MALICIOUS UNDERGROUND ACTS.
BOTHA AND IAN SMITH NEVER GOT PUNISHED FOR THEIR HORROR IN AFRICA WHY?????
we also know answer

[K Slater. West Midlands 9 Apr 2008 12:41:24]

It may be being shown all over the world, but what difference is it making ...NONE.

Even today 9th April 2008 the UK and the UN sit by while this tyrant continues with his torture and Murder of the folk of Zimbabwe.

A Disgrace to the "Civilised" world.

[babyboo sa 7 Apr 2008 09:29:27]

Call in Mr Bush... Morgan deserves to win, he has never stopped trying even after being locked up and beaten. How can the world just watch and do nothing? Its disgusting, shocking and totally unacceptable. Come on United Nations now is your chance to make a real change.

[Nic South Africa 6 Apr 2008 22:36:11]

Morgan Tsvangirai is the new President of Zimbabwe and there is no doubt about that. Why is Robert allowed to contest unpublished results. We are tired of this old man. I thank reporters who risk their lives trying to get the truth about the situation in Zim. I am however disappointed with the international community who be are not doing anything to force the publication of election results. Zimbabweans are accused of being dosile but I do not think this is true. We want piece and I believe this monster (Mugabe) can even be given immunity in order to save the rest of the civiliations. Please HELP ZIMBABWE. We dont want war. We want justice. The UN, Britian, US and all who can please stop talking about the situation in Zim if you cant extend your hands to help.

We are now scattered all over the world running from a single man. We live at times misserably in foreign lands when we could help boost the Zim Economy. Zim is a beauty but with Bob in the High chair it looks like a monster.

Whoever chose Thabo Mbeki to be the mediator is joke. This man is taking notes from Bob. I am glad the South africans refused him a 3rd term. There are romours that Mbeki and Bob own mines in COngo jointly and now I almost believe it after Mbeki without shame stood in Brian and lied that Zimbabwe does not need international community intervention. I doubt if at all Mbeki has tried to play the role assigned to him. I wish Mandela cloned. He has shown a better way of ruling and reconciliation yet he is one of the few people who were jailed for such a long time to get freedom. The rest of the people like Bob who was just a secretary in the party do not know how it is like to be at war.

Emma Hurd Thank you for risking your life getting a glimpse of whats happening in Zim.

[paul, Cape Town , sout Africa 6 Apr 2008 22:07:41]

We are embarassed to be South African's - sitting on the border of a public genocide unable to speak out and act against the atrocities - It is time for the respected REAL leaders of the continent to stand up and LEAD - where is Koffi Annan and Nelson Mandela? Can they not help and accelerate the decision making process and put an end to the dictatorship.
Thank you to Sky news - for once the world has actually been made aware of the real facts.

[Elisabeth, Belgium 6 Apr 2008 21:05:37]

Thanks sky news and Emma Hurd for the job wel done.Mugabe lost the elections and he must go. The international community must do something before it's too late.To hell with Mbeki talking about waiting.

[Paul Bromley, Viewers' Editor 6 Apr 2008 20:44:17]

Thank you for the information. We have not disclosed your name.

We are reporting the threats to white farmers.

See
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1311918,00.html

Let us know any updates.

Paul

[dj, zambia 6 Apr 2008 19:44:07]

i'm an 18 year old boy who grew up in zimbabwe. i dont understand why it has to take a genocide to get the world to take action, just like Rwanda and Sierra Leone. Mugabe is one of the most brutal and cunning dictators in history,under his iron fist he has slaughtered many thousands of matabele's and many of his own people to keep his power and his power is at its most vulnerable point, do not under-estimate what he can and will do. Elections for him is merely a formality. Let us all remember that evil prevails when good men fail to act. long live Zimbabwe and long live Zimbabweans.

[From Zimbabwe 6 Apr 2008 15:55:20]

Please do not disclose name and address. We live in Zimbabwe. Our lives are at risk if we are found out. White farmers are being invaded again right at this very minute. The Price family in Centenary have been given 15 minutes to get off their farm. The Goddards have been given half an hour to get off their farm in Masvingo area. At least 2 other farms in Centenary area have had "invasions" on their farms today.
When is this all going to end?

[jane- uk 6 Apr 2008 14:16:18]

So his henchmen like Munangagwa, Chihuri, Mujuru, can't face the fact that they will have to face the reality of the atrocities they committed. Mayaysia can only take Mugabe and his wife. Still we want all the money he stole before he can rest in peace.

[Raymond,Durban South Africa 6 Apr 2008 14:07:16]

Firstly, thanx to all at Sky for your excellent coverage on Zimbabwe.
Robert Mbeki will have the blood of the Zimbabwean people on his hand as his mentor Thabo Mugabe has had for many years. Mbeki's loss of position to a Zulu does not help as the people of Matabeleland (MDC) are direct desendants of the Zulus.
The lame duck of RSA arrest beats and deports daily the refuges from Zim to certain beating and deaths on their return home???
World leaders need to take action now on RSA, to have Jacob Zuma to act over this lame ducks laid back approach.
People of all races die daily in South Africa because of this lame duck,the crimnals are the Mbeki war vets.
The people of Zimbabwe need our support now,unless we want a Rawanda, Zimbabwe (2000), Gaffor Kenya repeated.
Thank you once again, TO ALL AT SKY.

[Bob Sankey in South Africa 6 Apr 2008 11:05:26]

Having just listened to Peter Hain on Adam Boulton's show, I feel I must remind him that the "White racist regime" he refers to, was never responsible for the slaughter of up to 20 000 people. Nor did they make millions homeless. Mugabe is a murderer, has committed genocide against his own people and yet Black Africa treat him as a hero, because he kicked some white folks off their land.
I despair and if that is the attitude of African leaders, there is no hope for "Black Africa".

What would the world reaction have been if Mugabe had been a white person-----

Oh yes---there is no oil in Zimbabwe----To my friends still there, black and white----I salute you, wish you well and hope that the peace you all crave will come soon.

[Edward Namitondo 6 Apr 2008 08:23:13]

It was interesting to hear Thabo Mbeki saying he doesn't like the UK'S immigration system.This is because it takes away skilled labour away from South Africa.I want to tell him how much of a hypoctrite.In Zimbabwe we are losing so much skilled and unskilled labour. Maybe thats the reason of quite diplomacy. Please Paul put this on TV so that he can hear what we think.
Many thanks EDWARD

[tony in zimbabwe 6 Apr 2008 08:13:23]

THABO MBEKI IS A DISGRACE TO AFRICA BY SAYING ITS NOT TIME FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO INTERVENE.

MBEKI IS THE WORST CULPRIT. WHY IS BRITAIN AND AMERICA WATCHING MUGABE PREPERING TO REVENGE ON US FOR VOTING AGAIST HIM. PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN THEN KNOW YOU HAVE A STRONG GROUND TO GET HIM OUT FOR US. HE HE HAS LOST SO HE MUST BE KICKED OUT. NO ARMY WILL FIGHT FOR HIM IF THEY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE COME TO GET RID OF HIM.

[Nicholas Folkes, Sydney 6 Apr 2008 07:42:48]

Intl. sanctions do not hurt a Dictaotr like Mugabe but the average person in the street. African nations will do nothing to support change or progress so the West should invade and evict Mugabe and his thieves. Zimbabwe was better off under white rule, that's the truth!

[John Smith - Harare 5 Apr 2008 21:09:25]

Mugabe positions his militia strategically around Zimbabwe in a last ditch attempt to hijack his nation. This terrorist state, once again, intends to terrorize the electorate into submission. Can we now expect further acts of grand impotence to be displayed by the British government? Perhaps another round of effective ‘targeted sanctions’ and dreaded ‘travel bans’, all bound to severely inconvenience the ruling party’s extended family members who will now have to conduct even more trips to Harrods than before for their relations back in the plush suburbs of Harare living fat off the stolen wealth of the masses. Gordon Brown should note the misery displayed on the faces he will see on TV of the Zimbabwean families who will have their kin murdered and tortured in the weeks that will follow in Mugabe’s orchestrated chaos. Indeed Zimbabwe lacks oil wealth, but Britain’s clear historic responsibilities in the country, if shirked, will prove to be a horrendous dent in the reputation of the British government. A government who will be viewed in Africa as a toothless tiger easily pushed around by its tyrants. Campaigning in Iraq and Afghanistan may be important, but inaction against Harare will now be a historic mistake that will cost innocent lives and rob a nation of its chosen future.

[SMN Southworth South Africa 5 Apr 2008 19:39:38]

Thabo Mbeki's wife and Mugabe's wife are either cousins or sisters I believe. so no surprise that Thabo won't stand up to Uncle Bob.

How long ago was the "war of independence" About 30 years ago I think. In which case I suggest that the "Freedom fighters" must all have been in the Zimbabwean Navy.
One look at them suggests that they must all have been semen 30 years ago

[Annette Harare 5 Apr 2008 18:49:53]

Why does the world give Mr Mugabe so much deference, everyone from ZBC to BBC and Sky keep refering to President Mugabe, Hello world, the post became vacant on 28th at midnight, he is now just citizen Mugabe, pity is he does not live a citizens life with the problems we all have.

[Mike in England 5 Apr 2008 18:36:02]

I have read and re-read all the comments and followed the situation in Zimbabwe very closely. Being an ex-Zimbabwean now British Citizen, i find it very very sad but not surprising. While I was living in Zim under Ian Smith and then a short time under Mugabe, things went from bad to worse the day Mugabe took over. Yes you may say bad things about Ian Smith, but at least then you had soap, food, water, electric, and many other products not available now. Prices were affordable, jobs were available, and then Mugabe took over. Everyone knew what would happen from that day on, but the people who put him in power..the very people now crying !!Tyrant!! were blind to it by false promises and tiny handouts until they were so caught up in the 'Mugabe is Best' rubbish that they could not see a way out. Now, i hope they see the error of their ways...the farms that use to supply food, now lay lie like dormant valcanoes. The shops, empty like Mugabe's promises. Jobs...that word should be taken out the Zim Dictionary as there are none..or very very few. As for solutions, remove the the problem in anyway possible. The problem is Mugabe and his party of thugs. Our Prime Minister is wasting his time speaking to Mbeki, he won't help. I can only apologise that Gordon Brown is not doing enough to help, he can if he so wanted put pressure on South Africa to intervene, but he won't as theres no gain eg: oil as in the Iraq situation. All i can say to many that have not voted...if and when theres a run-off election...get out there, show your force to the world....and vote Mugabe the Tyrant out!!!

[mutape 5 Apr 2008 18:00:19]

thabo mbeki is a toothless bulldog, uder mugabe's spell. he doesnt have zim's interests at heart, why.? because most of the proffessionals in south africa are zimbabwean. its common knowledge that statistically zimboz are more literate than south africans, we are obviously more educated. thabo has never for one day wanted zim problems to end as simply all the attention will shift to his own corrupt government

[charles, south africa 5 Apr 2008 17:55:21]

firstly, thanks to sky news, the issue around Mugabe, not giving up power is nothing new, what is happening in Zimbabwe will happen in South Africa, as long as the ANC is in power.

I give South Africans a maximum of 15 years, it will be another Zimbabwe, believe it or not. Watch the space.

[london 5 Apr 2008 17:43:42]

I have worked in this evil regime of Robert Mugabe. I know how evil and cruel he is. The service chiefs will not relinquish power, thats a joke. They are prepared to kill as long as they are in power. Thabo Mbeki does not like Zimbabweans because during the apatheid area Mugabe was against African National Congress (ANC). Some of the ANC activists were arrested in Zimbabwe by Mugabe. Their office were destroyed and Closed in Zimbabwe and Mugabe kept quite. No help was offered to ANC and other parties from South Africa. When there is chaos in Zimbabwe Thabo Mbeki is pleased and satisfied because to him its revenge. He will not act even if another massacre will start. Unfortunately the British government who are willing to assist are hands tied because of the colonial era. As usual with African countries more people will die and the world can only look and not assist.

Artois (Zimbabwean)

[London 5 Apr 2008 17:43:28]

Why should ZanuPF talk of a run-off if the Presidential results have not been announced? Doesn't this betray Mugabe that he is colluding with the supposedly neutral Zimbabwe Electoral Commission? What is the point of having a re-run with a Mugabe who does NOT accept defeat and the will of the people?

[graham gregory, abu dhabi 5 Apr 2008 15:49:33]

Why should I resign, says Bob. The people all love me. Who says so, says I. Why the people do, didn't we just have an election to prove it.
Come on, Bob, shut up your critics and announce the election results and PROVE how much the people love you. No doubt your feelings at this moment are that you'll be damned if you do, and even more damned if you don't.

[Priscilla 5 Apr 2008 15:21:37]

Robert Mugabe at the time of the liberation struggle promised the moon and the stars to those who fought in the struggle but took his sweet time to deliver it.

So the War Vets demanded those broken promises hence the seizure of white commercial farmers who feed the nation on the other hand the other community it must be learnt only farm to feed themselves

Why is reporting only from the black and white community what about the mixed race community - is any one taking their views into account where is the likes of Eldridge Culverwell who did his part?!! Someone asked me the other day and asked why are the reporters only talking to the black and white communites what about the other communities don't they count??

[Joan Marsh, Harare 5 Apr 2008 14:31:35]

Having just heard Mr Gordon Brown say that he will be discussing the Zimbabwe situation with Thabo Mbeki, it makes my blood boil. Thabo Mbeki has done absolutely NOTHING in regard to helping resolve all the problems in Zimbabwe. He is totally in cahoots with Mr Mugabe and whatever he says. This is very obvious to the majority in Zim and it is most annoying to hear that a world leader is going to take notice of what Mbeki has to say.
The MDC have clearly won the election and the fact that Zanu have obtained the amount of Parliamentary seats that they have is a fair indication of the rigging that has taken place. We are sick to death of what is going on here and to say a change is needed is putting it mildly. The African people, especially in the rural areas, are starving and suffering unbelievably.
For heaven's sake, do something more constructive than listen to Mbeki!!!

[Sue, Bulawayo 5 Apr 2008 14:30:10]

My comment today relates to the statement by David Miliband regarding the necessity of having international monitors present at any run-off election for Zimbabwean President.

I would like to point out that any international monitors should be present from the moment the election date is announced as there will no doubt be intense intimidation and bribery in the run-up to such an election. Monitors should also supervise the collection of ballot boxes, and the counting of votes right up to the moment the results are announced. As you have shown in your coverage recently, the intimidation process has already started and the brutality perpetrated during campaigning by such elements as the "war veterans" and "green bomber" youth brigades is bound to increase.

Monitors from the African continent and the Eastern block are determined not to see anything wrong with what Mugabe does. In this election they merely commented on the peaceful atmosphere during the voting process.

I agree with this comment, but, it is what they did not comment on that is so worrying, and why were they not allowed to observe the work of the Electoral Commission?

Thanks for your comprehensive coverage.

[Andy James, Harare 5 Apr 2008 14:27:40]

By now it must be clear to the rest of the world that Zimbabwe has been taken over by a gang of power-hungry thugs. What does the MDC, who clearly represent the views of the majority of Zimbabweans, have to do to get justice and a new government? What makes anyone think that if Mugabe loses the run-off that he will step down? Thabo Mbeki is spineless. If he had the will he could end this circus right now. But no, he persists with his quiet diplomacy - he is a joke. How many people will have to die in the run up to the next vote before the world will take notice and help the people of Zimbabwe. Zanu PF knows exactly how all the constituencies voted. Those that have stepped out of line will pay with their lives.

[Fungai Zulu UK 5 Apr 2008 12:59:41]

First of all, I would like to say my heartfelt thanks to the team at Sky News for telling the unbiased truth about what's happening in Zimbabwe.

Now I would like to say my disappointment with SA President Thabo Mbeki for the statement he has just said that it is not the right time for the international community to intervene.

I and a lot of other Zimbabweans think that's very irresponsible of him. Might he be as blood thirsty as Mugabe ? Does he think the time to intervene is when our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers have been killed by this tyrant.

He is equally responsible for the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe for on his part by mis-informing people and playing down the cruelity of Mugabe. What was the point of holding elections in the first place if the results can't be published and the rightful winner acknowledged and ease the suffering masses of Zimbabwe.

[Jeremy, London 5 Apr 2008 12:40:31]

After hearing what Mbeki has had to say to Brown, South Africa must be so happy and lucky to know that they will see the back of their presidential disaster.

How the leardership of SA, UK and so many other countries can allow Mugabe to start again on this road to violence. How can they listen with a straight face while Mugabe claims MDC has manipulated the vote.

Come on South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana, get off your backsides and close the borders, put in effective sanctions, Mugabe will collapse within days and the people will be free. Better for the people to suffer for three days rather than the rest of their short lives (34 for women)

[Zim in Botswana 5 Apr 2008 12:22:05]

For Thabo Mbeki to "put in his tuppence" and say "no intervention yet" is absolutely ludicrous - when WILL someone help?
If it wasn't for the ridiculous "quiet diplomacy" policy adopted by South Africa in the first instance, perhaps there could have been a solution some time ago.

People have lost their homes; black people and white people; it doesn't matter; people have lost their lives, families have been torn apart,
people are starving and most importantly, people have no hope left- the question is - when is the world going to say "NO MORE"?
Morgan Tsvangirai is a brave man, he will be hunted down and his followers, so dedicated to change and the betterment of Zimbabwe, will be sought out and tortured.
How many more people will die before the world sees what is happening in Zimbabwe for what it really is.

[Anonymous 5 Apr 2008 12:13:08]

I am an economic refugee from Zimbabwe and am not amused by the latest developments. That is the tyrant at work. I voted twice and decided to leave. It looks like the international community wants to see blood shed before intervention. Is international law that daft really? Please help us get rid of the tryrant.

[Richard 5 Apr 2008 12:09:41]

Thabo Mbeki is saying, now is not the time to intervene in Zimbabwe,what do we have to do wait for the killing to start,he is such a weak leader,or could it be one of his sisters is married to Robert Magabi.
Is this the sort of democracy Bush is trying to peddle around the world.

[John Craske, Goa 5 Apr 2008 12:08:28]

Despite the blanket coverage of the Zimbawe situation, I have yet to hear Sky - or any other media outlet - explain exactly why Mugabe still seems to have the support of nearly half the population. Given the huge inflation, mass poverty and low life expecancy, how come he gets any votes at all? Sure, there are those who have lined their pockets big-time, but the vast majority of voters haven't.

OK, there may be the so-called 'ghost' voters, but they can't account for the significant Mugabe support. And although the police can intimdate people at the polling stations, unless they actually escort the voters into the booths and watch them voting, why would anyone put a cross against Mugabe's name?

An explanation would be gratefully received.

[John, Cape Town 5 Apr 2008 12:07:11]

Thabo Mbeki has apparently stated that the time is not right for the international community to intervene in Zimbabwe.

I have a question for Thabo: Are you suggesting that "there will be peace in our time" just like Chamberlain did in 1938?

[Tim Wells, South Africa 5 Apr 2008 12:05:56]

MY QUESTION TO THABO MBEKI:
SO JUST WHEN WOULD IT BE TIME FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO INTERVENE WITH REGARD TO THE ZIMBABWE FIASCO?? WHEN THE SLOW BUT SURE GENOCIDE HAS NARROWED THE POPULATION DOWN TO A FEW HUNDRED, WHEN POVERTY AND STARVATION HAVE TAKEN THEIR ULTIMATE TOLL IN THE WAKE OF A DERANGED DICTATOR. WHAT HOPE DOES THAT SPELL FOR US SOUTH AFRICANS WITH HOPELESSLY MYOPIC MISGUIDED LEADERSHIP??

[Paul & Belinda Chambers, Zimbabwe 5 Apr 2008 12:03:51]

Zimbabwe will forever be a blight on Mbeki's term as SA President. He could stop all this now by cutting off fuel and power to Zim and closing the border.

If he doesn't, he will be implicated in the murderous period that is about to begin here and he should be carted off to the Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity. Shame on you Thabo.

[Victor, Malaga, Spain 5 Apr 2008 12:00:26]

there is no way in this world Mugabe will give up power and his Swiss bank accounts
without a fight, which in this case means revolution and bloodshed. He and his thugs are
just biding their time.

[Stuart, Lanzarote 5 Apr 2008 11:59:12]

The longer our politicians delay in making decisions about Zimbabwe,as they have in so many other instances,unless of course money is at stake as in Iraq, OIL,only goes to proove how morally bankrupt they all are.Because of this, Democacy,or what is left of it, is on very shaky ground

[Patrick 5 Apr 2008 11:56:43]

Thabo Mbeki has done very little to help the situation in Zimbabwe. He is scared of the dictator and he himself sits on a time bomb in his country!
We need the UN (Iraq style intervention) to save this country and Mugabe should face the same consequences that Saddam ultimately faced.

[Bella, Johannesburg 5 Apr 2008 11:55:32]

If Robert Mugabe had been white, he’d have been toppled long ago, but there’s an Old Boys’ Club of African Presidents who are staying silent and tacitly supporting his regime because he’s black and a hero of the struggle.

He has literally got away with murder, genocide and the suppression of free speech. The solution is for South Africa, which supplies much of his electricity, to switch it off. We have our own problems with power. Let Mad Bob suffer for once.

[Name withheld 5 Apr 2008 11:46:30]

We in Zimbabwe were wondering what story ZANU PF would concoct to maintain power, and now we know. They would never relinquish control to MDC, because all their top men, Inc in the Politbureau, have benifited from their postion. For example, Bright Mutonga has 2 farms that were aquired by Govt. and are now lying idle. They all have too much to lose. Included in these beneficiaries are the judiciary, so they will obviously rule in ZANU PF's favour regarding the contested parlimentary results, and anything else that they need.
The general population of Zimbabwe cannot fight an army. The African countries will not force Mugabe to stand down. And the International community are all talk and no action. So once again our people will be starved, beaten, raped, imprisoned and killed while the rest of the world stand by, again, and say "how terrible", and do nothing.

[Paula, Bulawayo 5 Apr 2008 11:22:30]

If the rest of the world sit back and allow ZANU PF to have a run off, they themselves will be allowing the violence which will come between that next election. We all know just what Mugabe is capable of and how much he is willing to hang on to power, even at the cost of others lives. Please we are in need of a turn around and a run off will only lead to Mugabe staying in power through illegal actions.

[Mark, Harare 5 Apr 2008 11:21:19]

Former white commercial farmers have been visiting their former properties, warning the new farm occupants that they will soon be placed back on the land. This is not helping the MDC's cause in Zimbabwe. If the Presidential elections goes to a run off between Bob and Morgan, these actions by the former white farmers will no doubt assist Bob in obtaining more votes.

[Anonymous, Masvingo 5 Apr 2008 11:19:14]

Those who believe that Mugabe is being naïve in thinking he can win a presidential run off against a front runner who only needs a fraction of the votes cast last Saturday for Simba Makoni, who will obviously endorse Tsvangirai, are themselves being naïve. Mugabe will not enter into an election he believes he will lose. He will use the military to intimidate the electorate, particularly in rural constituencies which have just turned their back on his party and will "ensure" that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission do his bidding giving him the result he wants. He could not care less about not having a working majority in parliament. He will run the country by way of making decrees in terms of the Presidential Powers Act and Zimbabweans will once again have been denied the change they voted for.

[Christine du Preez 5 Apr 2008 11:17:37]

I am a British Citizin, (Zimbabwean Resident) and have been living in Zimbabwe for the past 50 years. We were once the Bread Basket of Africa. The run-off for the Presidential Election is a laugh. It will give Mugabe time to rig the results once again. Enough is enough. We need a change, the country is in ruin and our people are suffering.

[Anonymous, Harare 5 Apr 2008 11:14:09]

We are feeling absolutely gutted with the latest news of our beloved country. The feeling on the street is also starting to heat up here in Harare. People are angry now, they have had enough. We feel so helpless and even hopeless, this man still has so much power that no matter what we try and do, he will make sure he continues to "run" the country. We beg for foreign intervention, we cannot do this on our own he has too much power.
We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your coverage, we need the world to know what is going on here and without Sky News they would not.
Lastly I would like to acknowledge Emma Hurd and Stuart Ramsay for their bravery, we all are praying for their safety.

[Beebs - ex-farmer's wife 5 Apr 2008 11:12:29]

Thanks for your news coverage on the Zim situation. Via your email messages please let the world know this:-
There are NOT 4000 white farmers on the brink of return to re-claim their land. Many have made new lives elsewhere and would not return to battle the elements again.
Hopefully, there will be 4000 investors and aid workers waiting in the wings to help Zimbabwe get back on its feet. If the re-run comes about and we have to wait, 90 days for it there are going to be many cold and very hungry people. There is no food here!

[Anne, Harare 5 Apr 2008 11:11:11]

Hello all Staff at Sky News
Thank you for your excellent coverage.
The present developments make Zimbabweans feel like "lambs waiting for the slaughter". It is encouraging to see your news flash of The Opposition appealing to U.N. to intervene.
The Mugabe regime do not deserve having the wonderful "People of Zimbabwe" We are friendly, peaceful and our patience has been demonstrated to the world. Please help us.

[Beatrice Chimongo, Harare 5 Apr 2008 11:09:53]

I AM A BLACK ZIMBABWEAN LIVING IN THE HIGH DENSITY SUBURBS. I AM USING MY FRIEND'S EMAIL.

THE WORLD HAS ALWAYS SAID, THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ZIMBABWEANS AND ONLY ZIMBABWEANS CAN SORT IT OUT.
WE HAVE NOW BEEN CHEATED FOR THE THIRD TIME, WE HAVE SPOKEN, WE HAVE VOTED, WE HAVE WON, WE HAVE DELIVERED TO GOODS, TO OURSELVES AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.
WE ARE NOW GOING TO BE BEATEN INTO SUBMISSION, WHAT DOES THE REST OF THE WORLD EXPECT OF US NOW. HOW CAN WE BE LEFT, WE HAVE ALREADY SP0KEN, WE HAVE VOTED, WE HAVE DONE ALL THAT WE CAN DO. BUT NOW WE HAVE BEEN CHEATED AGAIN......................WHAT IS TO HAPPEN TO US.

[Audrey, Bulawayo 5 Apr 2008 11:05:09]

We have just this instant heard that he is planning another round of elections and quite frankly I think the you know what will now hit the fan cause the normal working class people have had enough.

My mood at present is one of despondency as I know in my heart as many of us do that he is going to rig the whole thing again and it will just be a re-run of what has just happened.

[Susan, Harare 5 Apr 2008 11:03:11]

Depressing, depressing, depressing - everyone here feels Mugabe is going to succeed in retaining power. His cavalcade of motorbikes, cars, troop carriers and an ambulance passed through this area at 10 am and returned at 5.45pm. Why we should think he would concede power I can't imagine. Most of us remember a referendum on the constitution in 2000 which he lost. When he appeared on television he sounded so statesmanlike saying that he would accept the will of the people, and then the farm invasions started.

We have had no electricity all day and no water. The electricity has now come on but the water will be off for several days. Where I work this is the fifth week with no water. We have a well at the bottom of our garden and water has to be hauled up by hand.

There is no bread in the shops, nor flour to make it. The only way I can get sugar is to buy it at black market prices on the street. Mealie meal is very short, expensive and unobtainable in the shops.

And this is a man and his so called government that thinks it can run a country. We feel battered and can't believe that things can improve. In fact they can only get worse now.

[Richard Bernardo, South Africa 5 Apr 2008 11:00:35]

Thank you so much for your coverage of the Zim elections, it is admirable that a foreign news agency has placed so much emphasis on covering the Zim elections, albeit while being banned from reporting within the country.

Please keep up the good work and keep the news coming, we are following with keen interest.

[Anonymous (for obvious reasons) 5 Apr 2008 10:59:00]

We are ex white farmers that had our home & livelihood taken from us. Does zanu PF really think that we are interested in returning to a now unproductive run down farm? We have had to make a new life & are now living in a country that welcomes us.There is no way that we will return for a 2nd round.

[Ron, Sevenoaks 5 Apr 2008 10:05:10]

To all - wake up and smell the coffee, this is Africa. Permanently corrupt, permanently starving, permanently hopeless.

To all black Zimbabweans - you wanted independence, you got it 28 years ago. What is happening now is nothing to do with Europe, the West, or the rest of the world. Grow up. This is YOUR making.

You have gone to hell in your own way, as you wanted. Now change it yourselves if you dare. And tell me you're better off or more free than you were in Rhodesia.

To all white Zimabweans - can you not see, whites are tolerated but not really wanted in Africa. You stay because it suits you, don't whinge about the downside. And be thankful at least you can afford to go into Botswana and Mozambique to buy diesel to keep your generators going so you can watch M Net, while black Zimabweans cannot afford a loaf of bread or a sack of mealie meal. And ultimately you have the option of leaving if things get too bad. The writing has been on the wall for decades, but there are none so blind as those who will not see.

[Waldemar Limpopo 5 Apr 2008 09:36:20]

MUGABE HAD HIS TIME OF MURDER AND CORRUPTION AND SHOULD BE REMOVED THE WAY SADDAM WAS REMOVED.

[Naomi Modisane, Centurion (SA) 5 Apr 2008 09:23:52]

I have watched with disbelief at what is happening in Zim.

I personally have people that I love very much and would want them to have a better life and feel free in their home country.

Living under threats, running away from your home and hiding so as to spare your life is something that haunts an invidual for the rest of their lives. Mugabe must just step down in dignity and avoid embarrassment to himself and let the people with a clear vision to lead the people of Zimbabwe.

I have been separated from my loved ones because of the madness of a dying horse. Let the people choose their leader, let them have freedom.

[William 5 Apr 2008 07:28:21]

Thank you Sky News and to your reporters who must be admired for their bravery for entering Zimbabwe to cover this exciting yet very concerning period in Zimbabwe.

Robert Mugabe and his gang will not allow our rightful President Morgan Tsvangirai to take the reins of leadership in Zimbabwe, because their ill-gotten gains will be questioned and they would be stripped of their unexplainable wealth.

I would like to urge other Southern African countries to put pressure on their Governments to pressurise Mugabe and his crew to step aside and let a real leader take charge.

We want a life here in Zimbabwe and we just want to get on with our lives without this bad despot in the way.

Mugabe must not be given the privilege of hero status because he ordered the murders of tens of thousands of Matabele people in Gukurahundi in the 80s. Along with all his other cronies, justice must be served.

These people have lead to millions being homeless, hungry and they have stolen land from the white farmers. Just as a fact, 95% of the Zimbabwean farmers in 2000 had bought their farms after Independence and paid Robert Mugabe's government to have tilte of their land transferred into their names. So who has stolen the land... Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF).

I urge all Zimbabweans to stand up to this illegal government and let's see our leader in State house.

[Mike - Harare 5 Apr 2008 06:50:14]

How often does history have to repeat itself? Mugabe and his inner circle are accountable. Of course they will not relinquish power. Whilst we are sure the MDC did in actual fact win, the bottom line is that the elections were a farce.

[Tomas, Bulawayo 4 Apr 2008 19:54:06]

We Zimbabweans do not want any violence, we want a solution to this problem. It is always the same - blame and point fingers, no solutions.

There are more people, Zimbabweans, dying every day from lack of medicines than in a war zone.

Most Zimbabweans do not have the luxury of getting medical treatment in other countries.

Please let this be finished now. I understand why all my friends did not bother to vote, they said it was a waste of time. This is the mentality that this regime has instilled in its people.

[yolfin uk 4 Apr 2008 17:02:27]

I am personally convinced that the international community does not care about Zimbabwe. How could you ignore a desperate cry from the people of Zimbabwe for the past ten years.

[Alison MacColl, Jeddah - Saudi Arabia 4 Apr 2008 14:59:15]

To the Sky News Team
Firstly my support for Emma Hurd and Stuart Ramsay. My heartfelt thanks to them for their dedication in the name of truth.

My comments:

It is not just the white farmers who have been displaced from Zimbabwe. I am a white Zimbabwean who finds myself living in Saudi Arabia with two small children.

My husband and I, like many other black and white Zimbabweans who are scattered world wide, have managed, without the assistance of the Zimbabwe Farmers Trust Fund to make a new life out of nothing.

I would like to remind the world that it was not only the farmers who lost their livelihoods, homes, families and friends. We all worked hard to make Zimbabwe, and we've all lost Zimbabwe.

No single Zimbabwean has gone without suffering, especially those who had to stay in Zimbabwe. It took international intervention to remove Saddam Hussein - it is going to take the same to remove Mugabe.

[London 4 Apr 2008 14:30:09]

Mr Mugabe should never be allowed to win the presidential election. He is a clear liar and a waste of time. He is far too old.

Why is the opposition wasting time going to court when Mugabe owns every thing in Zimbabwe.

The only resolution is Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to intervene and send troops.

I would like like to see Zimbabwe be a developed country one day, free education for children, a better health system. Why can't something wonderful come from this country?

Zimbabwe was not the only country colonised. Look how far India, China are growing into super powers. When is it going to be our turn?

[Concerned Zimbabwe Youth 4 Apr 2008 13:56:53]

lt is unfounded to say that the MDc was formed by Britain, America or whatever with the motive to give the country back to th e whites.
Whether it is true or not zimbabweans are fed up because now that the farms are with the black majority we are starving anyway so there is no difference.
Mugabe has just become like lan Smith who swore that never in a 1000 years or in his lifetime would there be black majority rule in "Rhodesia" but it happened didn't it. His vindictiveness has driven the veryu people whose interest he claims to be serving away from home, into poverty and misery.
The land question, ZANU PF claims that MDC simply wants to give land back to the whites, who knows. One thing is for sure the land at the moment maybe in the hands of the "people" so to speak but it is the small percentage of ZANU leadership that actually enjoys multiple ownership of farme and yet no sensible harvest comes out of it. We are the people but we are benefitting nothing from it aprt from starvation and lack.
We are fed up and we just need to live life again, Mugabe is just not in a position to give us that priviledge.
Why can he not be like other great african statesman like Mandela, Festus Mogae who do not need to be forced out of power but voluntarily hand over to the next generation... Mugabe simple needs to retire now.

[Kathy, Mutare, Zimbabwe 4 Apr 2008 13:54:21]

Mugabe & his henchmen are terrified of The Hague. He turns 85yrs next February, then he's immune from prosecution. He will therefore use EVERY means possible to stay in power & he's an EVIL man - we haven't seen the last of him! Please keep the eyes of the outside world focused on Zimbabwe - we need your help!

[victor rivete, Masvingo, Zimbabwe 4 Apr 2008 13:41:59]

You can beat them physically outside the ballot but you can not beat them in the ballot box. The people have spoken out their minds. Now that we have grabbed Mugabe by the throat we should not let him run away with our freedom. BYE BYE BOB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VIVA PRESIDENT MORGAN !

[Karin, Northern Cape, South Africa 4 Apr 2008 13:37:20]

Thanks to Sky News for bringing us such excellent coverage of the Zimbabwe elections. The more the world takes note of what is happening there, the more likely change for the better will occur.

Mugabe has got away with so much during the time that the international media was banned and now he seems to be plotting behind closed doors again. With your help, we will see change and the change that the people want.

There is not a shadow of a doubt that Morgan Tsvangirai is the rightful new leader of Zimbabwe.

[Sheila, Harare 4 Apr 2008 13:33:50]

SURELY THE WORLD, AND ITS PEACE LOVING PEOPLES, CAN NO LONGER STAND BY AND WATCH THIS DEVIL INCARNATE, WHO HAS ALREADY DESTROYED SO MANY LIVES,CONTINUE TO SCOURGE OUR BELOVED ZIMBABWE WITH HIS DESPOTIC RULE AND POLICIES OF EVIL AND DESTRUCTION? DO WE NOT DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS?

[A Zimbabwean in Harare 4 Apr 2008 13:31:49]

This is a brutalized population trying to protect itself from a violent dictatorship obsessed with its own self interests and political survival.

We Zimbabweans are keeping our heads down to try and avoid a fight with the government.

If we protest we will be put down with extreme brutality and will have given an excuse to the government to attack us.

The Zanu-PF are armed and dangerous and the people of Zimbabwe are defenseless against them.

If there is any violence it will come from the government not the people.

We need SADC and especially the South Africans to put pressure on our government and leader to release the true results of the election and to stop attacking his own people.

As a plea to Mugabe; please step down and retire, this country is not able to survive another five years of your misrule. The Zimbabwean people do not deserve this Mr President and did not ask for it. The war against the whites and colonialism was won in 1980. Mr President you are not fighting colonialism but you are fighting your own people.

We have no electricity, no water, very little food and everyone is suffering. Please leave and let us get on with the future.

[Cecilia, Botswana 4 Apr 2008 13:27:27]

The 1st world Country's Ministers encouraged Mugabe to become President of Zimbabwe, cant they see what they have done to the country, why dont they step in and fix what they have created, ( a mess of our beautifull productive country, where everybody was living in harmony with one another, until they put that selfish unrully man in charge of this beautiful country). And it is about time that they compensated the farmers for their farms that were so unjustly taken without compensation.

[roy portugal 4 Apr 2008 11:09:32]

Sky news desk.
A delay in the results are a delay in justice and the delay in justice is injustice.
zimbabwe needs to set free and can only do so when these results are released so the govt should do so.

[Paul Bromley, Viewers' Editor 4 Apr 2008 11:05:45]

A huge thank you to everyone who has sent in their comments.

We are particularly grateful to those of you inside Zimbabwe who have contacted us.

We have used many of your comments on air and on our website.

Please keep your comments, information and observations coming.

Our email address is news@sky.com

Please include your name and where you are emailing from.

And thank you for all the complimentary remarks you have made about our coverage and the bravery of our teams.

I say "teams" because, although you only see the correspondent on air, they wouldn't be on your screens without the production and technical staff in support.

Paul

[Daren, Zimbabwe 4 Apr 2008 10:56:53]

The arrests of the UK and American journalists is Mugabe’s way of saying to the UK and US that there is not a damn thing you can do about anything in Zimbabwe.

I am really worried that this meeting with the politburo is only to plan a way to mobilise the army. If I know Mugabe, and I do, there is no way he is going to go down without a fight.

Is it going to take another Rwanda before the international community do anything.

Please help us before it’s too late.

Mbeki is not going to do a thing to help he is in Mugabe’s pocket for some reason. He hasn’t done a thing nor will he do anything.

[Chipo - Harare 4 Apr 2008 10:50:38]

Having read all that is written i have nothing more to add except my thank you once again for Sky being here and reporting the facts as they are - watching the local broadcaster you would think no elections had even happened.

If i can say though, please could we re - iterate to all the world that THERE ARE NO SANCTIONS AGAINST ZIMBABWE!!! I am so tired of that propaganda that is going around - the sanctions are only again Mugabe and his cronies - the fact that the IMF and the World Bank are not here is because they have repeatedly advised the Gvt what they have to do to come out of this economic crisis and have been ignored - accordingly then they have refused to help any more!!! Who would blame them since they know that the gvt cannot meet the re-payments ???
Thanks again and keep up the good work - the Zimbabweans need you...

[Anon, Cape Town 4 Apr 2008 10:31:32]

Robert Mugabe and his inner echelon are shaking in their boots. The comfortable ride is almost over and they will be accountable for the downfall of a great country.
The meeting today hints at bully boy tactics against the opposition and the people of Zimbabwe. The leaders of Africa must encourage Mugabe to exit as soon as possible.
I hope there is change and I wish all the citizens of Zimbabwe freedom from intimidation, good health, food on the table and all the assistance they require to recover from the past 28 years.

P.S. I lived in the country from 1956 to 1983 and only left after being threaten with an AK47 held to my head by one of the Korean trained Mugabe goons.
Sad to see the place I grew up in, in relative happiness change to such a sad barren country.

[Lee-Anne 4 Apr 2008 10:29:40]

I have lived in Zimbabwe all my life! It is our home and we have managed to stick it out for the last 10 years, waiting for THIS change. The people of Zimbabwe have to unite and believe that they are fighting together and are not alone. Change is so close this time - we cannot let if slip away a second time. We are appealing to the world to also stand up and unite and encourage our people and our new leader - Morgan Tsvangirai.

[lanis mac 4 Apr 2008 09:46:44]

After many years of being ignored by the international community, we've now made news headlines. Please, please don't forget us - we are desperate for change in our beloved Zimbabwe and hopefully, only international pressure will be the answer.

Thank you Sky, and Emma for your brilliant reporting at this crucial time in our turbulent history.

Priya - Bulawayo.

[Adrian Larkins, Durban 4 Apr 2008 09:31:43]

Well done Emma. This is not the first time she has managed to smuggle her way in to prohibited places. She is worth her weight in gold. I hope Sky look after her in all respects. As a retiree, I watch all the news channels and not one other has got into Zimbabwe to report first hand

[Alexis Ramage 4 Apr 2008 09:30:02]

Firstly, thank you for your wonderful coverage on Zimbabwe, which we are watching clearly here in Cape Town.

Please tell Zanu PF members that during Ian Smith’s days we had 16 years of sanctions and the country survived. So tell them to stop blaming Britain and America for Mugabe’s failures.

Many thanks

[Jill 4 Apr 2008 09:28:40]

I, together with my husband, who fought against Mugabe, have elected to live in Zimbabwe. We both have our own businesses and this is the only home we know. Our childen are scattered, in the UK and in South Afica and they all would return should there be a change in government.

We have witnessed the West welcoming Mugabe, Prince Charles shaking his hand and embracing the new Zimbabwe, which for all intents, was long overdue.

Now 28 years down the line what has Zimbabwe gained from this rule. We have witnessed the genocide of the Matabeles, the total suppression of any opposition force who dared to speak out. Our lives have been built on fear should we anger the powers that be in any way.
Somehow we have decided to stay as this is our home and a multiracial nation that we love.

Our future is totally in the balance. Should a rerun occur, who will take responsibility of the intimidation that will occur in any area that had the courage to vote for the opposition?

[Rob, Bulawayo 4 Apr 2008 09:25:44]

we are all at this time anxious regarding the pending results of the Presidential Election. I as many are here convinced that MDC(T) has won, but as has been proved in the last elections, things can be changed.

most of all we are praying for no bloodshed, and a reasonably mature transition from one to the other.

Bulawayo is calm, there were very few police riot squad members on the streets, people are at work and neighbours are stopping off and discussing the possibly outcome of the Presidential and Senatorial Elections.
The neighbourhood is friendly, and there is an atmosphere of hope.
God only knows we need a better future for all our people.

[Jill, Zimbabwe 4 Apr 2008 09:11:35]

The Zimbabwean in the street is full of expectancy. What is being announced by ZEC is not what we know actually occurred. Here, we probably know less than yourselves as we are being fed by ZANU PF mouthpieces and those of us that can are watching all of the news channels for the latest information. If there is no change here, Zimbabwe is finished not just in the world but also within Africa. We can't understand that South Africa, with the World Cup coming up, can have a pariah state on its doorstep and do absolutely nothing (other than alleged quiet diplomacy) to restore this country back to economic stability.

[Louis, Zimbabwe 4 Apr 2008 09:04:07]

The people of Zimbabwe cannot afford to have a rerun. Never underestimate the power of Mugabe that could be unleashed against all the rural areas that voted him out and the urban areas that do not support him.

[Proud White Zimbabwean In South Africa 4 Apr 2008 09:03:18]

Mugabe and his military and police henchmen cannot be given a free ticket out they have much to answer for .

The torture and murder they perpetuated is one thing but their manipulation of the economy, interest rates and currency rates that enabled them to cleverly rob the savings base of the country effectively stealing from pensioners and the whole population reducing them to paupers has destroyed the lives of millions of Zimbabweans , white black and other - So called Black business people who aligned themselves to Zanu PF and profiteered and took over or stole farms, companies and businesses by intimidating owners and then borrowing funds from the Reserve Bank at 20 % interest rates in 100 000 % inflation and then paying back a fraction in real US$ terms due to enormous orchestrated Z$ currency devaluation's also need to be stripped of these assets. The new Government needs to nationalise all these industries, companies, houses and assets and then float them on the stock exchange and then take the funds raised and use them to recapitalise the pension funds and rebuild the farming and industrial sectors of Zimbabwe. Mugabe and all the Black and few white elite who have profiteered through the Mugabe regime at the expense of everyone else cannot be allowed to retain their ill gotten wealth they must account and be stripped of their privaledge. Change would never have come to Zimbabwe without Morgan and the MDC supporters, they have sacrificed enormously for all of us there are many heroes from this new Zimbabwe Cold War era from 1999 to now. If Morgan was not a true leader then why is he still the last man standing ? Why was he the only one who has been prepared to stand up all these years and be counted with millions hiding in fear behind him and in his shadow. He will receive the support he needs and the skills required to run the country !!! We will support him !! Can he do any worse than Mugabe ?

Mokoni is still Zanu PF and he stood by and watched what his party were doing to the country and its people he must account !!! We also do not need to dish out open tickets so others can come in under false pretence and attempt to rape the country during its recover either The situation should be managed allowing Zimbabweans and also allowing those with genuine intentions and requisite skills of any colour or nationality ie those who truly want to participate in the rehabilitation of the country, to be given fair open transparent and unbiased opportunities to progress in the country whilst also helping to rebuild it.

South Africa and its people as a whole has in many ways been extreemly good to many exiled Zimbabweans political or economic exiles - but unfortunately they have also in many cases exploited many of these Zimbabweans and have profiteered off their plight and desperate situations and abused them in their time of weakness and need. However we should always be grateful for the many and some of the exceptional South Africans Like Mr Paul Verryn of the Central Methodist Mission Johannesburg to whom many Zimbabweans owe their lives.

[Anne, Harare, Zimbabwe 4 Apr 2008 07:56:51]

Your viewers have already done a good job of what is going on and how it feels to live in Zimbabwe, so there is little need to repeat it here.

What I would like to emphasise though, is that the continual exposure by the international press and the world at large, highlighting the situation we are facing, makes an enormous difference to our fate. This exposure by the media - thank you for your coverage - maintains the pressure on Mugabe and his regime. Please keep reporting and keep us in the headlines; it helps us feel that there is a world out there that cares about us. That is just so important.

With the media's help, we will, hopefully, overcome this difficult transition.

[Margaret, Johannesburg 3 Apr 2008 21:49:13]

Wake up Zimbabwe, change is not going to happen.

ZANU (PF) was handed the Bread Basket of Africa by the British at Lancaster House and they are not likely to relinquish hold, without bloodshed, after 28 years of systematically milking it dry.

The outcome of the current election is patently obvious but Mugabe and ZANU PF will ensure that the results suit their purpose as they have done since 1980 and no amount of condemnation is going to divert them.

Yes, Zimbabwe was and still is a beautiful country, but no person in their right mind who has suffered the atrocities perpetuated by the Mugabe regime and been forced to leave the land and country they love, would consider returning.

[Klee Zimbabwe 3 Apr 2008 21:37:38]

Mugabe should not be allowed to bow out gracefully or be honoured like a hero.

He's a murderer. There has been a silent genocide going on for 28 years and the world doesn't see it.

Thousands of Matabeles have died, hundreds of white farmers, hundreds of shona people. I remember turning a newspaper page and seeing a dead white farmers body wrapped in a blanket. He was killed by Mugabe's pigs that wanted his farm.

Like my uncle, like my great aunt.

Mugabe should be tried for every crime under the sun and sentenced to prison for life.

He has killed more people than Idi Amin. Millions have died because of him. He's a murderer, murderer, murderer and anyone who calls him hero is supporting the greates serial killer the world has ever seen since the beginning of time.

Tsvangirai for President and may Mugabe be haunted by every person he's murdered for the rest of his days and after his death.

[Klee Zimbabwe 3 Apr 2008 21:29:02]

Zanu-Pf have rigged the elections and will, once again, steal the vote that so rightfully belongs to MDC. It is a pity that the people running our country are lying thieves only capable of thinking of themselves.

Mugabe has run this country on emotion. He has let his little pet hates, his monstrous grudges and twisted presumptions rule the country instead of putting away his own feelings and doing things that will benefit his people and not his stomach. He got what he wanted I assure you, mass power, mass brainwashing and a mass exodus of practically the whole population of "westeners" (white people) to leave the country. When he fought for independence he hated the British and that was his own problem, but 28 years down the line and he's still shouting about Britain and how they should "keep their England!" IT'S BEEN 28 YEARS!!!!!! And he still acts like the West are on his doorstep with a gun pointed at his head saying "give us your country, we want to colonise your country!" The West has no interest in Zimbabwe...and why is Mugabe complaining? THE WEST WAS THE REASON HE CAME TO POWER IN THE FIRST PLACE! When Rhodesia appealed to the world for help, everyone was in favour of Zimbabweans ruling Zimbabwe (including Britain). And Bob was finally allowed to win the war. Which would have been ok if he hadn't destroyed everything Zimbabwe had to offer and made his people suffer in the process. My uncle was murdered-they burnt his house, shot him and beat his corpse till it was unrecognizable. My great aunt was murdered-they shot an unarmed defenceless 67 year old woman over and over again. Just in case she wasn't dead yet. That's one example of the horrific things that have happened to hundreds of people in Zimbabwe. And guess what? Those are the fools running our country. Or rather, killing it like a horrendous disease. Our country stumbles like a dying man when it should be walking proud. If Zanu-Pf win the elections, they have cheated the country, the people. But that's ok, they've done it for the last 8 years...or 28 years, who really knows how long the disease has been settling in. The people don't want murderers to rule them, they want loyal, upright Christian men to lead them. God help me to forgive the murderers who call themselves leaders.

TSVANGIRAI FOR PRESIDENT AND MAY GOD FORGIVE THE BLOOD ON ALL OF ZANU-PF'S HANDS

[carolyn UK 3 Apr 2008 20:23:28]

As a white Zimbabwean living out of my birth place, I watch your coverage all day with the hope that the beautiful country I still call home will soon be restored to peace and stability. I think I can honestly speak on behalf of all of us that live away from our home that we still wake up every morning and pray that finally finally maybe now we can go home.......May honesty and truth prevail!!!

[Stu Harare 3 Apr 2008 18:42:49]

We here in Zimbabwe are getting tired of no food , no electricity , no water , we need a leader who knows what he is doing, we need someone who is slightly sane

Stu
Harare

[Audrey, Bulawayo 3 Apr 2008 17:02:13]

I would like to thank sky for covering this farce as much as what they did. My TV is constantly on Sky news to get updates..but all of us that live here know that he will in no uncertain terms sway the vote towards himself. The general feelings around Bulawayo is one of victory and strangely very very calm. Please keep up the excellent reporting and Emma Hurd you have got absolute guts coming in here to film the way you have...you go girl...

[Godfrey Thete(south Africa) 3 Apr 2008 15:47:16]

It's a good feeling that Mugabe is about to get out of the picture for good so that zimbabwe can start working on their Policy Reforms,Micro and Macro economic policies and invest more on Human capital which is one of the most Factors to try to stabilise the contry's well being.Sorry for the Trouble that Mr seven degrees(Mugabe) has done.

[Tindo, London 3 Apr 2008 14:59:05]

mugabe has ruined the economy in the last 9 years and cut all ties with western countries (the only people who can aid zimbabwe in this situation). He hasnt made any efforts to fix the economy and clearly if he is trying, his tactics arent working. The other African leaders who are supporting him are enjoying the success of their countries while our zimbabwe goes to the fishies. Now by clinging onto power, how does he think its going to help the country. He deals with his political issues the way he did in 1980, now that worked but times change. We need people with new ideas, no hunger for enriching themselves while the people they represent suffer, people with new ideas and 'A NEW BREED OF POLITICS'.

[Simon, Zimbabwe 3 Apr 2008 13:38:05]

Unfortunately Zimbabwe's economic recovery is linked directly to Robert Mugabe leaving office. I have lived the last 8 years of my life in Zimbabwes economic madness, and cannot spend another 5 years of my most productive years in an environment where the future cannot be provided for. If he steals another election, I will leave Zimbabwe.

So will a great number of productive and capable people. And he will destroy the country to a point that it cannot be revived.

If he cared even one iota for his people, he would go.

[Mike Withycombe 3 Apr 2008 12:13:19]

The Zimbabwe election has been your lead story for days now (even though there is no news about who has won). Can I make a plea on behalf of those of your readers that are sick of it.

We honestly aren't interested!

I think we owe Robert Mugabe a thank you for banning reporters in the past.

[Lynn 3 Apr 2008 12:02:17]

How can we ever thank Sky News and their team for all you have and are doing, to give us as much coverage of Zimbabwe's election.
As you know we are pretty much in the dark as to what is exactly going on,and without your news channel would be totally frustrated!
Emma is brilliant - getting it as acurate as she can.
There are few of us having a good nights sleep - on chatting to various friends / colleagues, we are all waking at various times in the
early morning to watch Sky News for any new developments.
Thank you for all you are doing for Zimbabwe, our beautiful country with our beautiful people. All we want is to live normally in our
wonderful country, and are SO desperate to see change.
Thank you, thank you.
God Bless You all.

[Adrian Feather, Bulawayo 3 Apr 2008 11:58:37]

We have been particularly impressed with Emma Hurd's analysis of the situation here, telling it as it is.
Our mood throughout this election has been one of cautious optimism tinged with anxiety. I have always likened elections here to be like a boxing match where one of the contestants has his hands tied behind his back. I picture in my mind a platoon of soldiers (the African leaders) on parade. All are in step except Mugabe, yet he is the one saying 'Come on, you guys, keep in step!' This man has been capable of anything. The tragedy is that he is admired by his contemporaries for daring to challenge the west. He is undoubtedly perceived as a crusader, steadfastly championing the African cause against the 'wicked colonialists, hence the standing ovations he gets when he appears at the innumerable African so-called 'summits' he attends. In this election, however, he had nothing whatever to offer except insults to his opponents. He did not come across as the confident, all-powerful master of all he surveyed, as on previous occasions.
We have hung in here because we are blessed with having funds outside the country. We cope with the shortages by driving across the border to Francistown in Botswana on a monthly basis and stocking up. We also bring back mealie-meal, sugar and cooking oil for the local staff here at the retirement village where we live. I argue that, in REAL terms, there is no inflation in this country. It does not cost us any more (in REAL terms) to live in this country today than it did five years ago. In fact it is far cheaper to live here than in Europe or America. This set me thinking that inflation is the effect, not the cause. Nobody will solve inflation by trying to tackle inflation - they must (but they won't!) tackle the cause. The cause of this inflation is the rapid devaluation of the Zimbabwe Dollar and that in turn is caused by this 'government' literally forging the currency. If we were to buy our own supplies by printing our own money we would soon get in to trouble - but there is nobody with enough power here to tell them that they cannot do it without disastrous consequences. Of course the need to print money has been occasioned by the almost complete collapse of foreign exchange inflows as a direct result of ZANU PF's policies and skewed priorities. By the simple economic law of supply and demand, the more notes you throw into the system the less value they will have. What they appear not to understand is that money is a commodity in the market place, every bit as much as a sack of potatoes - but more than that, it cannot be created out of nothing.
I don't necessarily believe in retribution but I do disapprove wholeheartedly of the concept that presidents and ministers should be immune from prosecution for their actions committed whilst in office. They should all be answerable. It would be an exceedingly dangerous precedent - not just in Zimbabwe but anywhere in the world - to give politicians the idea that they can do whatever they like with impunity whilst in office. Such a belief turns them into masters not servants. Why do politicians make themselves into the most important people in the land? Why must airlines alter their schedules to accommodate them, why must traffic stop for them? Why should they exempt themselves from the rules which they apply to others?
In Matabeleland the man is hated with a passion - for fairly obvious reasons. However, I find it impossible to believe that, with the country being in the state that it is in, that ZANU PF has garnered the support that even this election suggests. We do hope, trust and pray that a new administration will not gradually fall into the same evil ways in order to strengthen and maintain its hold on power.

[Sara 3 Apr 2008 11:56:59]

Dear Paul
I'd like to push politics aside and tell you how it FEELS to be Zimbabwean
Our lives have been turned upside down in the last ten years. Every single person originating in Zimbabwe has experienced monumental emotional pain and great material loss. The dense emotional grief that we have churning inside is difficult to comprehend - I can only liken it to the deepest, most heartfelt grieving of the death of someone very dear. All age groups, races, religions and origins have lost the right to live normally, to grow and produce families, well balanced and structured, healthy and safe, we have lost the essence of life as we knew it.
My own particular story goes like this:
Dad & Grandpa owned a farm. We lived there, safe in the knowledge that someday we would take it over and tend our parents into a quiet retirement. Just like any other person in the world, we had a structured and happy environment.
Who doesn't want to pass on their life's work to their children - isn't that what we all live for? To produce a world in which we can safely exit, having pathed the way for our future generations. Except that in our case, farm seizure started.
We managed to stay long enough for Dad to die, young, of rampant cancer. I'm sure you've read enough about cancer to know that stress plays a major role in this disease. I can only imagine what he felt , to see the farm he had poured every ounce of his being into, the workshop he had lovingly built up, the new strings of development that he had begun, being one of the major ostrich producers in Zimbabwe, farming crocodiles and food crops for a nation's dinner bowl, rudely and violently taken away for use by just another government official.
The last thing he made us do was take him on a drive around the farm, clinging to life, he looked over his 'lands' and told us, as tears slipped down our weary cheeks, that he was proud. And that is what we take with us. We are proud to say that that is where we come from, and where we hope within hope to go back to. Undignified, we left, fatherless, we left, but we still belong - and no one can take that away from us.
We always say, in Zimbabwe, that the oppressor has a lot to answer for one day. We have in the most part been unable to eek out a living here, with non existent opportunites for most age groups. Our families are spread out about the globe, trying to get decent passports that will allow us to become normal citizens of normal countries. Grandmother's separated from grandchildren, sister's separated from brothers, fathers and mothers separated from children. Tears cried by the gallon in airports around the world as we leave each other time after time. The 'brain drain' has been monumental, and we are lonely and depressed, trying to 'make it' in foreign countries - when all we want is to be home. Other African countries are also FULL of Zimbabweans, and ex Zimbabweans - how most of us would love to chuck it all in and return to our homeland to live life as we were brought up.
I feel desperate for the loss of many other people in this country, who, uneducated, do not know another way forward. They struggle and struggle, denied aid and denied help from the outside world by their leaders, living on meagre foodsupplies, health aid and the promise of a new tomorrow by a government who never fails to kick them in the face at every opportunity. Money is scarce, children and babies are literally crying in hunger and life is so short. I hope in my heart that they can wake up soon to a Zimbabwe who cares how they live, cares how they eat and where they are destined. And, after all this time, they still smile, laugh, and sing. They are an unbelievably good natured race.
This is what this election means to us. If ANY opposition party were to gain some ground, we would be able to live normally here. I live here now, because this is my HOME, I belong here and this is where I want my children to grow up. I am prepared for the long haul, because no other country has what Zimbabwe has. This is where I want to build, I want to become part of a new generation, and stand for something morally right. I want my children and their children to have the choices I never had, I want them to take over my life's work, and to become a new breed of wonderful, happy, bursting with life, Zimbabweans. I am so proud to be a Zimbabwean, and I hope with all my heart that we can support the rise of a new leader.

[Grace, Harare 3 Apr 2008 11:55:49]

It seems change is now imminent in Zimbabwe, however Tsvangirai is going to be faced with a mammoth task to turn around the economy of this country. I believe Zimbabwe will get back to being the bread basket of Africa if Tsvangirai looks for international economic gurus to be his advisors , there is massive potential in this country which was just waiting for a change in politics.
People here are now beginning to be cheerful as they can see there is light at the end of the tunnel and its getting brighter and brighter. Lets just hope that he will fulfill his promises because if not, come next election we will vote him out as we have done Mugabe showing that no one is invincible.

[Jo, Harare 3 Apr 2008 11:54:49]

We live in Zimbabwe and have been following your coverage of the elections very closely. It is the only information we are getting. Although we feel that you are doing a fabulous job and with Emma Hurd now inside Zimbabwe - thats great. But the only mention of how Mugabe has ruined this country is with reference to food queues and bank queues. Desmond Tutu is interviewed saying if he had stepped down 10 years ago he would have bowed out as a hero. HAVEN'T WE ALL FORGOTTEN SOMETHING!!!!
What about the genocide of 20 000 people in Matabeleland (Bulawayo area) in the early 1980's. What about the deaths of numerous white farmers and the beating and murder of hundreds of their farm labourers. What about the theft of 4000 farms and the loss of jobs to hundreds of thousands of people. What about the atrocities purpertrated against many animals, namely, cattle, horses and dogs during the last 6 years of the land invasions.
This isn't just about no food and no money. There are much BIGGER issues here which need to be broadcast to the world so they can be reminded just how evil this Zanu PF regime is and has been. Mugabe is a mass murderer - let's not forget that.

[thando, United kingdom 2 Apr 2008 18:08:15]

It takes a great man to admit to defeat, to admit when he is wrong and to accept constructive criticism. Mugabe has ruined Zimbabwe. It’s sad he is blaming the western world (the man’s mental state is questionable) and what has he done to fix the so called problem - nothing. God and only God will fix Zimbabwe’s problem.

[john uk 2 Apr 2008 17:51:37]

I note your reporter saying that Mugabe won the war of independece ,this is incorrect .
Mugabe came to power thanks to the British .
He never won the armed conflict, he has been corrupt from day one.
The elections began in February 1980 and as expected, there was massive intimidation of voters by the terrorists. The British Government refused to heed the evidence of this, despite concrete proof and a thousand signed affidavits. The election was a tragic farce, a cynical betrayal of democracy and of the people of Rhodesia.

As a direct consequence of this corrupt election, the ZANU (PF) party of Robert Mugabe came to power. This was the darkest day in the history of Rhodesia, a tragedy for democracy and the beginning of the end for Rhodesia as a democratic first world country.

The candle of freedom and democracy had been extinguished, and Rhodesia gradually slipped into the darkness of dictatorship and economic decline.

Once Rhodesia became the new nation of Zimbabwe, it began its inexerable twenty year fall into corruption and total ruination.

[Glasgow 2 Apr 2008 16:24:58]

I really commend Robert Mugabe for a very credible election, a lot of people may think the election was not free and fair, but for the fact that his party lost control of the parliament shows that power still belong to the people of Zimbabwe. Mugabe should respect this and step down - Ola

[Rose 2 Apr 2008 16:23:23]

Mugabe should NOT be allowed to step down gracefully. He should be made accountable for the untold misery he has imposed on every Zimbabwean from the mid 80's. He has murdered thousands of innocent people, raped the country to a point of almost no return, whilst he has lived in the lap of luxury. Another African country ruined, and no thanks to the then British Government. South Africa, the Rainbow nation, is heading fast in the same direction and the world sits back and watches! So much for the Western world, they have a lot to answer for!

[Natalie 2 Apr 2008 16:21:19]

Firstly, as a Zimbabwean, I would like to thank the international news agencies, such as Sky, for their extensive coverage of the elections. This is certainly much more than we have received from our own agencies!

Secondly, people from outside Zim should not second-guess the situation, which is this: we simply cannot exist any longer under the rule of Mugabe. It does not matter that he has lost the majority within Parliament - he has the power to make his laws under Presidential Decree. HE MUST GO, there is no other way.

The only way he can win, is through theft of our votes. The mood in the country is of great anticipation that he will finally be defeated and, best of all, through democratic means. We await the popping of champagne corks...

[Goffer 2 Apr 2008 15:57:39]

I live in the UK and am working here as SA like Zim has fundemental problems in its Gov due to corruption, crime etc. (we have all heard it a million times but now is time for action) - I hope that RM falls and falls hard - but lets face the facts - this all boils down to one main issue - The legacy of white rule and white owned land in africa - Two wrongs do not make a right and thus when RM siezed land from those that had bought it legally the country fell into nothing - you cannot cut off the arm that feeds the face - I hope that this is a good lesson to all SA leaders that have quietly support Mugabe rather than defend the human rights of people living within both countries - With the old man going - this will only help SA reduce its own problems that the world also ignores and we can build africa together - let the peoples voices be heard !!

While we clap at the defeat of Mr M in Zim and push hard to make him actually leave...let's remember that a VERY large amount of people still voted for him. Let us not forget that Africa is not the USA and a UK style democracy may never be possible or advisable in many countries. Good luck Zim..get rid of him, move on, he is useless on all fronts and the country only stan