Thank you very much to everyone who has contacted us over the last week or so with stories from inside Zimbabwe.

We have featured many of them on air and on our website.

Please keep sending them in, either by posting on this blog or by email to news@sky.com

Paul

Comments

[Michael Hardman 23 May 2008 06:34:38]

So Thabo says there is no crisis in Zimbabwe. I could have told you (Thabo) with 6000 + a week of illegal immigrants crawling under our border fences into South Africa starving for the last three years is and will be a serious CRISIS for South Africa for the next 5 years.Now you have to call in the ARMY to stem the violence of xenephobia. My advise to any fan or tourist coming to South Africa for the World Soccer Cup 2010 is the following: STAY AWAY. Unless the world puts serious pressure on Thabo to sort Mugabe out. Its not worth losing your life.

[Marilyn Kamp - South Africa 8 May 2008 18:46:25]

Living in South Africa can be a nightmare with the people who are supposed to be protecting us actually involved in the crime syndicates, corrupt politicians, some of the highest crime statistics in the world and I can go on.
BUT, this is nothing in comparison to our neighbour, Zimbabwe, where little babies, men and women are beaten and killed at the whim of a monster, Robert Mugabe.
The USA can attack many countries but why has NO-ONE even tried to stop this excuse of a human being? Has he BOUGHT all of you as is usually the case? Does he have dirty laundry to air on all of you? Are you such cowards that you cannot remove him from a wicked power that has crippled a wonderful, beautiful country and most of it's inhabitants?
Don't put up your usual defence when pushed into a corner i.e. it is political incorrect, we have no proof!!!!! Well, then I must be blind, deaf and dumb or you are all stupid or on the take.
When EVERY news media reports on the atrocities that are being carried out in that country every day, I just cannot believe that a world of billions of people just stand by and watch, sleeping in their warm beds, eating decent food, entertaining and closing their eyes and ears to this disaster.
What has become of our values, our ethics? We should all bow our heads in shame because we are no better than this monster - we are standing by and watching and doing nothing.
OR, does Zimbabwe not have enough value for you to intervene? Have I touched a sensitive spot?????
How can all these people writing in be wrong? How can we stand by and watch people being murdered? How can we read the pleading of a 16 year-old (letter above) and turn our heads - or, Mr. Politician, are you too busy entertaining to read his letter? Shame on you!
Is this what GOD wanted of us?
My heart is with all of you - I am unable to destroy your monster but I pray and hope that someone, somewhere, somehow will come to your aide.
Morgan Tsvangirai, you will come into power and when you do, look after the people who put you there. If you do this, you will be one of the first (if not the first) of all the African leaders that will leave a proud legacy behind. I salute you for not giving up and look forward to the day that you will bring Zimbabwe back to it's rightful owners, the people. So sorry that some will not live to enjoy that day.
Robert Mugabe, your day WILL come - sooner than you think!

[Jenny Appleton, Tanzania 3 May 2008 08:04:10]

As a Zimbabwean currently teaching in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania, I am horrified at the genocide that Mugabe is master minding in Zimbabwe daily. The western world appears to be both blind and deaf or just doesn't care because it is happening in an African country!! I have a brother in Harare and a brother-in-law in Mutare and I fear for their lives every day. I teach with 5 other Zimbabweans 2 white and 3 black, all wonderful people and we are doing what we can to spread the word concerning the catastrophic situation in our country!
Regards,
Jenny Appleton.

[graham gregory, abu dhabi 2 May 2008 08:45:25]

I feel for the people of zimbabwe. I holiday'd there several times in the 1970's and what a beautiful country it was. However, as is in most african countries, they must reap that they have sewn. Britain did not force them to accept Independance, although they handled the handing over rather badly. It was an african wish to have an african goverment as have all their neighbours. With the exception of Botswana can any reader tell me of an african country that is better off with Independance. Can any reader tell me of one country that is not riddled with corruption, not to mention the many countries in a continual armed struggle. Did this happen, i ask myself, when a colonial power was in charge, whether Britain, France, Portugal or any of the other colonial powers. I am afraid to say it, but, you wanted it, you have it, you sort it out.

[larry ejele 30 Apr 2008 12:48:20]

When is the world ever going to understand one simple fact, very simple fact - WE NEED A REVOLUTION!Not just in zimbabwe, but the rest of Africa. The common man is so down trodden, he cannot summon any ounce of strenght to fight, instead his immediate focus is to strive through whatever means to keep the heart beating so as to sustain life.
Thabo Mbeki strides the world pretending to be an elder statesman(well thanks to the sacrifices of Nelson Mandela)his veil would of been uncovered to reveal the coward he really is.

Back to Mr Mugabe, and of course Zimbabwe!Can you blame him? the man clearly seems to understand the name of the game in African politics, which for the sake of this comment is to be called 'Strategic Annihilation'. He is only playing a political chess game with the world, using ideological skills of the artful dodger to creat as much diversion away from a checkmate as he possibly can!

Africans must ensure and accord zero tolerance to any and whatever forms of unexplained wealth, praise worshipping, intimadation, but instead ensure that citizens of world acclaim, with records of local and global excellence with a name to protect are brought out to hold positions of power. Let gone be the days when we bring out local warriors from the bushes, put them in position of extreme power and expect miracles from God...and perhaps the west. i rest my case!

[larry ejele 29 Apr 2008 10:55:38]

Even though I sympathise with the Zimbabwean election impasse, let it be known that it is a clear reflection and case study of a modest example of typical african election scenario, only difference is that the western countries do not have any beef with other hopeless African rulers at her moment.

[priyazim, Bulawayo 29 Apr 2008 08:48:21]

We're being held hostage in our own country waiting for results of who will govern our country and who will be our president. We've been hostages now for just over a month. When will the world free us?

[Anon, London UK 21 Apr 2008 08:43:54]

I have received this through my email from Zimbabwe, please let us all pray in hope that this awful humanatarian crisis may end!

DEAR FRIEND,
>
> IN WORLD WAR II WHILE HITLER WAS BRUTALLY TAKING OVER THE WORLD, THERE WAS AN ADVISOR TO CHURCHILL WHO ORGANISED A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO DROPPED WHAT THEY WERE DOING EVERY NIGHT AT A PRESCRIBED TIME FOR JUST ONE MINUTE TO COLLECTIVELY PRAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ENGLAND, ITS' PEOPLE ANDPEACE.
>
> THINGS DRASTICALLY CHANGED AND WELL, THE REST IS HISTORY
>
> GOD IS THE ANSWER AND PRAYER IS THE ONLY WAY FOR ZIMBABWE!
>
> IN VIEW OF THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS IN ZIMBABWE WE ARE ORGANISING A DAILY ONE MINUTE PRAYER TIME AT 8 A.M. OR 1 P.M. OR 8.00 P.M. AT ANY ONE OF THESE TIMES, PLEASE STOP WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING AND SPEND THAT ONE MINUTE PRAYING FOR GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE AFFAIRS OF OUR COUNTRY.
>
> SOMEONE SAID IF CHRISTIANS REALLY UNDERSTOOD THE FULL EXTENT OF THE POWER WE HAVE AVAILABLE THROUGH PRAYER, WE MIGHT BE SPEECHLESS.
>
> OUR PRAYERS ARE THE MOST POWERFUL ASSET WE HAVE. TOGETHER. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
>
> IF YOU KNOW ANY OTHER CHRISTIAN BROTHER AND SISTER WHO WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS POWERFUL EXERCISE, PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG.
>
> THANK YOU,
>
> ZIMBABWE
> 24-hour Solidarity Vigil

[Anon, London UK 21 Apr 2008 08:40:35]

As a fellow Rhodesian I wish to share with you the plight of just ONE person within Zimbabwe today, and urge international power to rise up and take a stand against this tyranny!

Dear World,
>
> I am a 16 year old person living in Zimbabwe. I think the time has come for a more direct
> appeal, and so I am writing to you, the world.
>
> Maybe, just maybe, there might be someone out there who can help us...
>
> It's tough here now. The inflation rate is so high that if you don't change money within 6 hours you could get half the amount of foreign currency that you would have originally received.
>
> We're starving now; people die around us. In the last year alone at least ten people associated personally with my family have died despite the fact that they were only middle-aged. Other people don't make it to middle age. They don't even make it past childhood.
>
> Our once-proud nation is on it's knees. We flee or die. This beautiful, bountiful once-rich land has become a living hell. We have dealt with it until now; we have made a plan. That was the Zimbabwean motto: "MAKE A PLAN".
>
> But now we can't make a plan. We're too tired, too broken, too bankrupt. We can't afford life, and life does not cost much, not really. We cannot afford to eat, we cannot afford to drink, and we cannot afford to make mistakes, because if we do we die. We don't have the capital to support ourselves, and those few who do, have to deal with the horror of watching their friends and family fall into absolute poverty as they cannot afford to help them.
>
> We're waiting desperately for a great hand to pick us up out of the dirt because at the moment we are outnumbered by Fate herself, and so we close our eyes and pray. We have fought for too long, and have been brought to breaking point. We simply stand, heads down, and bear it. Our spirit has gone; we are defeated. After a valiant struggle of over fifteen years, we have been broken.
>
> There is no will left, no spirit. Like a horse that has been beaten until it cannot fight anymore; we are the same, and, like that horse, we stand dusty, scarred and alone, with dried blood on our sides and lash marks along our flanks. Our ribs too stand out; our hide is also dull.
>
> Our eyes are glazed, our throats are parched, and our knees struggle to support us so that we stand with splayed legs to bear the brunt of the next beating, too dejected even to whimper...
>
> This is my plea. The thought of picking ourselves up again is sickening; one can only take so many blows before oblivion is reached, and we are teetering on the rim of the bottomless void. One more push will be the end of us all...
> There must be someone out there who can do something. There must be someone out there who cares! We are a destroyed nation, and the world sits back and watches, pretending they cannot hear our cries. I appeal to you all...
>
> HELP US!
> A 16 YEAR OLD ZIMBABWEAN......
>

[Bugsy, Burley-in-Wharfedale 19 Apr 2008 07:38:49]

I think the captain of the chinese ship called at the wrong port, it should have been Sofala (Beira)in Mozambique and not Durban South Africa. Sofala has a direct rail link with Zimbabwe 180 miles away and the better way of moving items you don't want anyone to know about!!!!

[John 18 Apr 2008 19:42:04]

It is with regret that we see South Africa's president Thabo Mbeki return from a meeting with Zimbabwe's dictator Robert Mugabe and foolishly claim "there's no crisis in Zimbabwe".

With a loaf of bread costing 20 million dollars, no medicines in the hospitals, no food in the shops, 18 month old babies and their MDC supporting parents beaten up on a daily basis by Mugabe's thugs, no fuel, and so, according to Mbeki, "no crisis".

This lame duck president has been a disgrace to South Africa in particular and the world in general from the day he took office. He refuses to believe that HIV Aids exists. He struggles to think past his next "drink" he is a confused, befuddled and incompetent man.

He and Mugabe own several diamond mine concessions in the Congo. This is where South Africa's defence force are deployed to look after their ill gotten gains and this also goes some way to explain their "pally pally" status.. Yet the South African masses continue to willingly vote him in. The ANC threaten voters at every election telling them their houses, benefits and pensions will be taken away if they do not vote ANC. Dark shades of Mugabe rule I fear! The Democracy we fought hard for? What Democracy?

Furthermore the electoral commission (IEC) does nothing to stop this as they are funded by the ANC!! I have personally witnessed these actions many times.

There are other more viable parties to vote for, one in particular the UDM (United Democratic Movement) headed by Bantu Holomisa, a decent, honest and upright man whom I have personally known for over 25 years. It is a party whose fundamental principles are not much different to the ANC but unlike the ANC the will to implement them are there. Furthermore, the leader is not corrupt and won't stand for it within the party. He sets a shining example himself for others to follow. This, in stark contrast to the ANC, where corruption by top officials is the natural order of the day so that others may follow in their stead unchecked.

It is sad, therefore, to see this beautiful country degenerate into yet another impoverished African mess. Through total incompetence, mismanagement and corruption there is insufficient electrical power for our needs. Precious power is sold to neighbouring states at inflated prices and the proceeds go into the back pockets of the corrupt in charge. This is being done whilst the people of South Africa endure daily blackouts and "power shedding" trying to run their businesses, cook food, drive through towns and cities with no traffic lights and generally attempt to live in 2008.

Hospitals, like those in Zimbabwe, are running out of medicines. Thousands of skilled workers have fled the country and more leave daily. Even if the parastatal ESKOM got a cash injection of R60 billion it would not help as we have no infrastructure or qualified personnel left to run it!

The crime rate is horrendous with more than 50 murders a day. Ruling MPs who steal from the public remain seated while enjoying their ill gotten gains and inflated salaries and never get fired. The economy is in tatters. Fuel prices have gone up 300% in 6 years. Inflation is around 10% and climbing. Interest rates up 5 times in almost as many months.

All these facts are warnings printed large on the current page of history. South Africa is fast emulating Zimbabwe in all respects. If the majority of the people do not wake up and do something now to change the political landscape all will be lost.

However, there is still time to save the country but it is fast running out. Get shut of Mbeki and his sycophants now. Elect a government of the people representing the majority. I am in favour of COSATU and their voice must be heard. Jacob Zuma also appears to be making the right noises but will he continue to do so if he gets in power?

Take a good hard look at the UDM and it's leadership. A more honest man than Holomisa I have yet to meet in politics. Remember the fish rots from the head down. Decency by example also runs from the top down so good examples must be set. Within the ANC government it has been
"I steal you can also steal." Not one single example of decency and strong leadership has been afforded the public since Mandela retired.

We have a government of incompetents, thieves, johnny come latelys, and sycophants. Who in the main only think of themselves and the "what's in it for me and my family" syndrome. Bribes, corruption, backstabbing. A free for all by elected officials whose pockets are filled with tax payer's money long before any other considerations are made.

It's been a feeding frenzy of greed and self interest and it continues unabated and unchecked under the ineffective, incompetent leadership of Mbeki. A befuddled, autocratic and confused president, who lost the plot long ago, that's if he ever understood it in the first place!

It's now way overdue he and his cohorts were unceremoniously kicked out before we become Zimbabwe number 2!!!

[Taff G, UK 16 Apr 2008 13:17:27]

The only way out of this mess is taking to the streets. Violence may be necessary to secure freedom for my fellow countrymen. I know the Movement for Democratic Change, Tsvangirai's party, had called for mass protests and stay aways.

The most effective tool that labour aligned political parties that work closely with the unions use the world over is Mass stay-aways and strikes. That may have worked in 2000 and a couple of years after that,in Zimbabwe, because many people were still employed. Now, rougly 80% of the population is jobless hence the failure of yesterday's stay aways. Most Zimbabweans are now self employed and hence if they do not work they do not eat.

In my opinion, a new and custom designed strategy for Zimbabwe is necessary for this struggle against Mugabe to be won. A strategy that will not eat away at people's livelihoods but at the same time allow them to show their discontent. That means militarising the MDC and allowing the military wing to target strategic points which will paralyse the government and make the country ungovernable for Mugabe.

[ex-Zimbabwean 15 Apr 2008 18:57:11]

Ex Zimbabweans who follow Mags Kriel's Letters from Zimbabwe internet column may be unaware that Mags was incarcerated in Bulawayo this weekend for being an unaccredited journalist! Her weekly column lists details of her arrest and release on Monday. Authorities thought she was Emma Hurd! (Mags Kriel is a long time Bulawayo resident and past TV personality and is approaching 60)! Perhaps Emma could get in touch with Mags and get her story.

[Martin M 15 Apr 2008 18:45:14]

Sir,
Zimbabwe provides the clearest possible example of why certain Governments abolish civilian firearm ownership. ie so that no matter what undemocratic or even genocidal action government may take, the population is rendered incapable of rising up in its own defence.
Despite much propaganda to the contrary, I believe that American democracy (which guarantees the right of the individual to own firearms)is fundamentally superior to much of Europe.

[DAve - Wales 15 Apr 2008 11:02:41]

How can anyone take Thabo Mbekis comments seriously? This is a man who claims aids does not exist!! Mugabe may be a madman, unfortunately he is very well educated and has had a career as a politician! Although I think he and his cronies should be in the hague on trial, he is not stupid and will play the game till he dies - that is his only way out. Two weeks ago we all thought it was over - he is not that daft. If he leaves, he and his mates will be in jail in weeks! hopefully he will meet his maker sooner rather than later

[Gillian Ashmead 15 Apr 2008 05:54:08]

Is it not about time the rest of the world put pressure on South Africa and other African countries that support mad Magabe.The British was one of the countries that put the mad man in power ,they need to take it away from him....all they do is make comments like "our patience is running thing"well wake uo Britain ,how do the poor people there feel.How many have to die....? The only way to get Magabe out ,is take him out by force.Oh I forgot there's nothing in Zim for the rest of the world ! NO OIL.

[Roland 13 Apr 2008 11:19:58]

After seeing Thabo Mbeki's comments yesterday about there being no crisis in Zimbabwe, isn't it time that prominent news broadcasters like yourselves step back a bit and look at what is really happening is Southern Africa. As much as I appreciate your coverage on the Zimbabwe crisis, it astounds me that all the major international networks seem to either ignore or are loathe to report on what is really happening in South Africa. There are a number of questions you should be asking yourselves which I have listed below.
1. Why is Thabo Mbeki acting in such an irrational way when it comes to Zimbabwe?
2. Why are he and his government never taken to task for their Anti White remarks.
3. Why are White South Africans leaving the country in their droves. (The latest Australian Expo in Johannesburg was sold out immediately). Those White South Africans who cannot qualify to emmigrate are trying to get their children overseas at any cost.
4. Why are the "Scorpions" being dismantled and being made part of the police force. Is it not maybe because the vast majority of the ANC politicians are guilty of corruption. Examples: Jacob Zuma, Thabo Mbeki/Jackie Selebe, all the Members of Parliament who were found to be guilty of travel fraud. this is just scratching the surface.
5. The extortion that takes place in obtaining government projects. I just walked away from one where I was told to put my quote in and they would accept it irrespective of the content, on the condition that they would come back to me with an inflated price, the difference between the two prices to be paid over to the individuals concerened in cash.
6. Eskom power. The BS that is eminating from this debacle is unbelievable.Three or four months ago, Prior to the expose of the shortage of capacity, they were asking the government for a 19% increase which the government cut back to 14%. Now the are demanding an increase in excess of 50% which the government has agreed to. Any idiot can see that the math does not work.
7. Education. Why is it that from just a few years ago, qualifications from South African Universities were sought after internationally. Now they are a joke. Why do black politicians and teachers insist on sending their children to so called "white shools" and not to the schools where they stay and teach. When you go and see how these schools operate, you will have your answer.
You may want to call me racist. Personally I dont think so. I was one of those South Africans who worked for and promoted the whole New South Africa thing. Un fortunately I have had to stand by and watch my dreams for this country being dashed by what can only be called the Africa Syndrome.
Maybe you should look at what Africa was like when it was still colonised and what it looks like now. Yes people were oppressed and that was wrong. Now most of the same people are still oppressed but by their "own people" and Africa is broken. It no longer works. I am afraid that South Africa is on exactly the same path.

[Mitch, Harare 12 Apr 2008 19:35:59]

Mbeki says there are no problems in Zimbabwe. This is from the man who said something like HIV is not a problem in Africa and denied that it was caused by a virus. Who can take this man seriously? Sadly Zimbabweans have to live under the whims of such people

[Martin in the UK 12 Apr 2008 15:20:55]

Is there any moral difference between Robert Mugabe killing 20,000 Zimbabweans with his 5th Brigade and Thabo Mbeke killing thousands of South Africans by obstructing their acccess to antiretrovirals?
Are'nt these two men peas from the same pod?
Why would Mbeke care about the democratic interests of Zimbabweans?

[Philippa Kennedy 12 Apr 2008 15:08:49]

It is absolutely disheartning to learn that Thabo Mbeki says that there is no crises in Zimbabwe! However, I feel it is time that the British and American Governments got involved and removed Mr Mugabe from power. Why try him for war crimes in 5 years time, why not stop him now and reduce further violence and death. There are also such poor people in Zimbabwe who are desperate for food.
I just fail to understand why it has taken so long for the UK and US governments to react. Thabo Mbeki doesn't have a clue what is really going on as he is a long time supporter of Mr Mugabe. PLEASE HELP ZIMBABWE!

[Anita from Nelspruit South Africa 11 Apr 2008 05:19:36]

What I would like to say about Robert Mugabe's victimisation against his own people?

It seems this man is the most powerful man in the world because nobody or no country can do anything about this dictator.

If I had the money, I would put a price on his head. He won't be able to trust the people nearest to him and eventually will be taken out by his own people.

I believe this is the only way this matter can be resolved.

[Tomas bulawyo 9 Apr 2008 20:58:30]

Hi again
AS Patrick Chinamasa said, zanu-pf has already started campaigning for a run off.

This will be the same brutal campaign as after the 1999 referendum filled with violence and intimidation,and once again the international comunity will just stand by and watch as we are beaten into submission.

letting Thabo Mbeki try and sort this out is a waste of time,he is mugabes "UMFANA"his boy.

He does not tell mugabe, mugabe tells him.

Why is it that i always hear appeals for britain or america to help us, are they the only countries in the world.

I have seen green bombers patroling the streets, police in all the suburbs and when i asked what was going on ,i was told that they were waiting for instructions from harare.Instructions to do what?

We are all afraid of what will happen next but if there is a rerun i am going to keep encouraging people to vote for who they feel will be the right person to lead us out of this hell hole.

Keep your heads down fellow Zimbabweans and when the polling stations open go out and overwhelm him with your votes.we should have done that the first time.voter apathy has not worked.

I pray for us all and may god bless us with what we deserve.

[galilee-tamra-Israel 8 Apr 2008 19:52:42]

Hello to you all at the sky news centre.At FIRST Iwould like to praise you for your very imposing news coverage that has no match any else where even in America.Still, I have been one of your viewers since Ifirst turned 0n -my t.v accedently on your channel in 1996 -Ineither see myself currying favour of you nor exaggerating if Isay how stunned Iwas as Isaw the -==magnificant commentators perform in your behalf.Indeed Sky news has helped so much concerning myself being fully exposed to the country of the fomous-glorious culture,that is England;owing to the sky news Iwas able to acquireEnglish lan.and subsequently I succeded in achieving my B,A degree over English literature and lan at the university of Haifa-Israel.At last but not the least. Iwould like to seize this opportunity wishing every single one of you all with no exception-happy easter.
Truly yours,
Ayman
Tamra
Israel-Western Galilee

Iam looking forward to hearing your response.

[lanis mac - bulawayo 7 Apr 2008 11:42:59]

The longer we wait, the more frenzied we're becoming. Will this nightmare never end?

Please world, like Tibet, although much smaller, remember us too, wanting freedom of speech and democracy.

Priya - Bulawayo.