"The economic meltdown is due to the unfair sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe as Mugabe's punishment for restoring land back to its righful owners."

Hilarious. Those rightful owners being the corrupt friends of Robert Mugabe? I think not. The only thing Zimbabwe should be concerned about is whether that land is being productively farmed for the benefit of all, not whether the skin pigment of the farmers is black or white. The land was taken and look at what's happened. Another corrupt African dictator makes his friends rich while the people starve. Move along. There's nothing new to see here.

Robert Laundon, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

The economic meltdown is due to the unfair sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe as Mugabe's punishment for restoring land back to its righful owners. The whiteman forcefully settled himself and ruled with an iron fist for over 90 years. The indigenous people were denied basic rights and were treated worse than animals. pre 1980 under Smith's gvt blacks were not even allowed to vote so all those crying for the 'good old days' can only be ejected racist white Rhodies who are struggling to cope in their own homeland where they cant afford the excesses enjoyed back in Rhodesia through the exploitation of blacks.

Yes Mugabe's time is up and his leadership has caused much hardship but his legacy will live. He has set an example for the rest of us Africans: The whiteman is not to be feared, whatever the cost. Now even black S. Africans are gaining the confidence to start asking questions.

Political independence yes but what about economic independence as well?

The tide is turning!

Dambudzo Marechera, Kumaraini, Zimbabwe

The rule of law, democracy and good governance are indeed values that we cherish because we fought for them against the very same people who today seek to preach them to us - Robert Mugabe

Having pointed that out, I do believe it is time for change in Zimbabwe... Both within, and from the outside.

A Shah, London,

The poverty in Africa is a direct result of Western Imperialism and neo colonialism. In the case of Zimbabwe, Mugabe is just a convenient scapegoat (and a bit of a thorn in the flesh as well to imperialist alliance who expect every African leader to be their stooge)

They are all drooling at the prospect of another puppet so they can once again sink their claws into Zimbabwe's wealth thus perpetuating the imbalance.

ZIMBABWE SHALL NEVER BE A COLONY AGAIN, ALUTA CONTINUA!

Dambudzo Marechera, Kumaraini, Zimbabwe

Put all ideological conceptions aside. Robert Mugabe is a metaphor for Zimbabwe et al.

Bill, Alabama, USA

Robert Mugabe and President George Bush of America should get together in how they both ruined their nations economies. Down with Mugabe. May the people of Zimabawe vote for someone other then the Black Hitler called Mugabe.

John, Cumberland, United States/Maryland

Jin Burks, they may not have had political power under the white spremacist regime, but now - after almost three decades of black majority rule, the people of can't afford the basics of life, even though they have been empowered to make political choices via the ballot box. So how does an accelerating decline over three decades become the fault of the western world that oposed Ian Smith's UDI and supported black majority rule?

The simple truth is that Mugabe has taken away from the people of Zimbabwe any realistic possibility of making a true choice at the ballor box, and has mismanaged the country. Let's hope that he is voted out, and that he goes peacefully. Somwhow, I think he'll try to hang on to power at all costs whatever the result of the election.

Richard, Manchester,

I do hope so! The next people to gain power will look to Great Britain holding out the begging bowl for funds and facillities. I hope that this nu labor Government does not throw good money after bad. Look up the history of this once great land. The African did not want the European there and with the help of the UK, America they installed a fool into the highest postion, this fool has cost the life of thousands and ruined want was once Gods own Country. Let the Africans sort their own problems out, but send back any Zimbabwean immigrants that are living in the UK.

Brian , Ellesmere, Shropshire

If you are white and you began loving Black Zimbabweans and the Black race since the sacking of white farmers by Mugabe in 2000, you are naturally a white supremacist!

Ezhi Opfu, Johannesburg, South Africa

I was in Harare, the Capital City of Zimbabwe just last week. I am a Zimbabwean citizen of mixed race origin , and whilst people may criticise and demonise Mugabe he is on trial by Western Governments primarily for the following reasons:-
( for the moment put aside the gross human rights abuses)
1) For taking from the White man, land which has been given to the black populace, to correct a grave historical injustice
2) For standing up for his people against the exploitation of Zimbabwe's massive mineral resources which include :- uranium , platinum and gold , diamonds , timber and wildlife resources
3) For demanding equality from an avaricious Capitalist West which abhors any sign of an Independent stance from a 3rd world country
4) For exposing the hypocrisy of the British Labour government who wanted lucrative Trade between Zim & the UK to continue on very favourable terms for the UK
5) For handing over the economy to its rightful owners: The PEOPLE of ZIMBABWE. Bertram T

bertram tabbett, Milton Keynes, UK

The western politicians did indeed sell out Ian Smith's government, where most of the citizens of the old Rhodesia were so happy that terrorist such as Mugabe's mob had to kill and maim the many villagers to force them to join him with promises of riches and "freedom" (to starve and to die). I was living in that area and most readers will not know the facts.·

Ian Smith forecast what would happen and it has. The real racists are those who would not listen and instead judged by the skin colour, falling for the false propaganda, not the ability of the people concerned. By now under the original system, black politicians would be in a democratic, fair, mixed race government in a very prosperous country.

South Africa is next as we can see. Are you willing to continue to give massive aid to a continent that has self-inflicted woes? Only fools are because they must be forced to do the right thing to overcome the problems and aid only pushes this obvious solution further away.

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

Jim Burks, Memphis - I am SO fed up with people trying to pin the crisis in Zimbabwe on the west, this is Mugabe's fault. He ordered the invasion of the farms, he sent inflation through the roof, he ordered the beating and torturing of opposition politicians..

This has nothing to do with the West and everything to do with African politicians failing to live up to their responsibilities. Work it out.

Owen, London, UK

Mugabe was put into power 28 years ago, Jim from Memphis, longer than many readers' lifetimes. You cannot keep blaming western politicians for everything and absolving Mugabe of the consequences of every corrupt, greedy, short-sighted and disastrous decision he has made since. Or are you saying that Africans are so disadvantaged and helpless that they have no power to change their own destinies whatsoever? I would call such an assumption racist in the extreme.

Emma, Cambridge,

Do not blame Mugabe for the chaos that Zimbabwe has become.

Blame instead the UK and US politicians, like President Carter who put him in power.

The first two paragraphs of the article say it all. Go back and reread them. This is what you have reduced a once-prosperous country to.

Jim Burks, Memhpis, US / TN

The really difficult fact to face about the situation in Africa generally is that it is almost impossible to become
enthusiastic about the end of any particular tyrant, such as Mugabe, as the next one up will almost certainly be the same, if not worse. The poverty of Africa remains leadership.

roy, Ankara, Turkey