How can Mr Dabengwa possibly have the affront to compare Mugabe with Ian Smith! An absurd comparison! We are now seeing the end of an abominable tyrant, of Idi Amin proportions, who brought nothing but death and starvation to all it's inhabitants.
The English, in their infinite wisdom, put this demon there in the first place. What a massive mistake!

pedro tam, London, UK

The choice of Dabengwa as vice President could not have happened to a nicer man.He is a man of integrity,selfless and embodies a true sense of reconciliation that can bring healing to the nation.The same spirit that was in the late Joshua Nkomo whom in retrospect we should have voted Prime Minister in 1980. If this comes to pass i wish to say well done Zimbabwe you are on the right track.

Robert Rajabu, Luton, UK

He should not get immunity after his disasterous rule and ruination of the country. I suggest that we spread a rumour that there are vast natural resources in Zimbabwe. We also label him a despot and tyrant and put the file on George W's desk. The rest will be easy. It should only take a few marines to topple and arrest him.

Hamad Lone, London, England

"The delay caused alarm across the globe, with Britain, the US and the European Union insisting that the results be released immediately."
WHEN DID ANY OF THESE PARTIES INSIST ON ANYTHING TO DO WITH ZIMBABWE???!!
Insistence should have been years ago, now the US, UK & EU are trying to claim some credit for kicking Muagbe out????

Ade, London,

Bush Mugabe & Blair having the credentials to form a new retired gentlemen's club, chairman, secretary & treasurer, all they need are a few members. It would have to have it's meeting in Diego Garcia though, I don't think they'd be welcome elsewhere. Any takers out there? Sounds good that, doesn't it, The BMB Gentlemens Club !

Chris, Bournemouth, England

As a Zimbabwean I'd oppose Mugabe getting immunity BUT if the deal guarantees progress for the country then I'd support it.
We should also note that Dumiso Dabengwa suffered greatly under Mugabe in the 80s and he's said to be against retribution.
One cause for concern is the article talks about a military chief being opposed to a peaceful transfer of power. This bothers me because Mugabe militarized Zimbabwean society for protection and now we are going to pay the price.
If I was Morgan I'd have a plan to reduce the size of the security apparatus becuase it's a waste of scarce resources.

greg, joburg,

At least Mugabe WAS elected, unlike our Prime Minister.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

I would remind Mr Debengwa that when Mr Ian Smith departed he left a legacy of a well run, prosperous country. His only problem was - he was white!

John Powell, Cardiff, UK

Mugabe should be tried for crimes against humanity and genocide, but this is really secondary to getting the country back on its feet. I hope the civilised world responds.


On perhaps a much lesser note but this is a marvellous study for students of Poliics and Constitutional Law.

Rodney Barker, Gainsborough, England UK

What is going on here? In a democratic society if you lose an election, you forfeit the right to govern. Why do the MDC have to placate these people with immunity and cushy jobs while the people of Zim continue to live in poverty and desperation?

If Tsvangirai has won the presidency then let him take over now without impediment - that is what happens in a democracy. Who cares about sparing Mugabe's blushes? Does he care about the people of his country who have suffered years of his rule in return for 1000% inflation and fuel and food shortages? Close the door behind you Cmd Bob!

Jonathan Main, Kuwait City, Kuwait

If he were any kind of a statesman he would contact his opponent to offer congratulations and then gracefully exit.

Lea C., Toronto,

The only major negative is that Mugabe's cohorts need to be placated with more pork and plum jobs to allow the MDC to asume the reigns. I would think that immunity from prosecution was enough - or even too much. Let's hope the rest of the world steps up to help in the rebuilding of Zimbabwe. Let's also hope that Mugabe is the last of South Africa 's anti-apartheid struggle friends and that good sense will prevail the next time a tyrant emerges.

Chris, Cape Town, South Africa

Remember: when the level of misery reaches a point where people don't feel they have anything more to lose, people like Mugabe are history. Let's think back at how many years he spent in prison fighting against Ian Smith. Remember when Smith said that there would not be black rule in his lifetime? Remember when Robert Mugabe said pretty much the same thing only a few days ago? Wasn't the writing on the wall then?

Let's look ahead now, and bring Zimbabwe back to where it belongs, a country for all its people and a beacon to Africa and the world. Next stop: North Korea, Iran, Myanmar, and the United States.

Christopher Hobe Morrison, Pine Bush, Ulster County, NY, USA

Akinyemi Okocha, New York, NY, USA - I think you need to do a little more reading on Ian Smith. He was against Black majority rule and worked towards Biracial rule, In a country that is multiracial and has massive racism problems we have seen the effects of a Majority rule. This is exactly what Ian Smith was trying to prevent!

Claire, Brisbane, Australia

Let me get this right.... When he came to power Zimbabwe was a farming powerhouse and now struggles to feed itself. This guy is a real modern success story.

Paul Bahre, Granby, CT, USA

I say if George Bush and Tony Blair can get away with indirectly causing the deaths of tens of thousands of inocent Iraqie civilians then how can we expect Mugabe to be charged? Lets just pray he is really on his way out!!

Jim, London,

It`s not too late. Get the Europeans back quick and make the country great again like it was in the 1970`s.

Neil Clough, Wiltshire, England

Lets not forget that for almost all of the 28 years the majority of zimbabweans voted mugabe in and most, until recently, benefited from his ruinous policies.
so i have little sympathy for them overall. however now the world will rush in and give money, most of which will land up in corrupt pockets.
mugabe shd be put on trial, but that will never happen because the rest of the dictators of africa will see to it.

Anton, perth,

i dont think he should be executed, what example would that set for other dictators who may be in similar positions, better they go pecaefully than in cival war.

tom, leicester, uk

I can not wait for the official announcement that MUGABE is gone......new beginning for Zimbabwe... Now lets have a one term president please... I hear people say Mugabe should be accountable for all the crimes against humanity he committed ,where we all these people when Ian Smith, was removed from power, just a thought.I think he did his share of crimes against humanity. I really don't care what they do with Mugabe .. just get him out.. & lets not not forget what part he has in the history of Zimbabwe forget about that old man. Let him retire....

Limbonga, Powtown, NY

I wonder how much he has in the bank?

ROBIN BECKETT, houston, texas, United States

In the shady and corrupt politics of Africa, we are unlikely to see justice. I fear that a deal will be struck and he will disappear with the wealth he has salted away and eventually die on some foreign soil. He won't stay in Zimbabwe for he will surely fall victim to a lynch mob. It will be tempting for many a poor country to accept him for the money he will bring to them, all we can do is keep up the pressure on our countries not to welcome this despot by providing him a hiding place.

lawrence, hong kong,

I'm beginning to think that this delay is not so much for Mugabe's sake, but more to give his cronies time to grab their loot and skip the country.

Ken Whysall, Hemel Hempstead,

Great news.

Unfortunately, these 'deals' leave a rotten aftertaste - one which must be endured, as there is unlikely to be a smooth transition of power without them.

Tom Clark, Cambridge, UK

Zimbabwe has already set a precedent by allowing Ian Smith to remain free of legal complications, so they might as well do the same for Robert Mugabe. Both men were detrimental to their country. At most, Zimbabweans should exile Mugabe if they so desire. Hey, I'm sure the U.K., France, or Russia can accept him in their midst. The U.K. because the govt. professes to be concerned about Zimbabwe's economic future, France because that's where some dictators have gone, and Russia because the U.S.S.R. supported Mugabe during the resistance.

Akinyemi Okocha, New York, NY, USA

Think you're wrong, hope you're right. His removal from power cannot come a day too soon for the suffering nation of Zimbabwe.

I have no association with Zimbabwe but the injustices perpetrated by Mr Mugabe have angered me for years. I am sorry, but despite my Christian beliefs, I am with your reporter Jan Raath on this one: Mugabe should be held accountable for his crimes. Any leniency will break the faith with the thousands who he had murdered in Matabeleland and the many more who have suffered as a result of his egomaniacal, cruel rule.

Duncan McGregor, Melbourne,

Horaay! Bush soon to follow. Thats two off the world's most despised leaders list.

Chris , Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Mugabe should be tried and executed for crimes against humanity

Arthur, Melbourne,

Even if we've finally axed Mugabe, it will take decades before Zimbabwe recovers from the economic collapse that he imposed on the country.

The struggle is not yet over- Zimbabwe has barely reached the halfway point.

Alex , Orangeville, Ontario, Canada

This whole thing does stink! Like everybody else I think Mugabe should be accountable for all his actions. But lets look at it from the point of view of those stuck in Zimbabwe and are living this nightmare. If MDC does come in this may be a step in the right direction for them. Even if it takes years to rebuild the country, they have hit rock bottom where else is there to go? Time will only tell. Nevertheless, look at Zambia after Kaunda they are still struggling to rebuild the nation. Are we looking at a similar situation? I am being optimistic and I hope that one day I will be able to visit my beloved homeland again.

ChiaraM, Brisbane, Australia

Alan is right. Mugabe hasn't gone yet, far from it. As long as we continue to collude in the idea that the voting procedures were acceptable, he hasn't been counted out. Wait for futher bloodshed to come.

antonia willis, bodmin, united kingdom, UK

How long before Tsvangirai becomes another, in the never ending line, of morally bankrupt African politicians?

Remember where you read it first!

Trevor, London , England

It couldnt have happened to a nicer man. He should now be held accountable for every crime he commited.

Ali, London,

If he's still got fingernails he will be clinging onto his desk for dear life. Dictators do not go easily, democracy means nothing, people mean nothing, Mugabe needs a push.

Alan, Luton,

Surely offering Mugabe a safe haven in the UK would be a sweet conclusion. We could even add the condition that he has to appear on the BBC!!

Tom Carr, Newcastle upon Tyne, uk

Others news sources are saying the talks never took place and all the parties who are supposed to have been involved in the talks including South Africa have denied they ever took place! I'm surprised though by the MDC's change of heart - they are now saying they can wait. Where has all this confidenece come from and what about all the earlier cries about rigging.

Tendo, Coventry,

Just be thankful that he appears to be gone, a total humilation for him in is final years, not to much time to reflect.

Peter G, Dublin, Ireland

This whole thing stinks! Mugabe should not be given immunity, otherwise it will encourage others to do the same in future. I totally disagree with this whole thing about including those failed ZANU(PF) leaders in government again. Surely if the party has lost, it has lost!

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Surely we can offer a safe haven for President Mugabe – Belmarsh, the Scrubs, Dartmoor or better still Strangeways (or whatever it is called these days)?

Brian Christley, Abergele , UK

Hooray!

Malcolm Treadwell, Lexington, USA