So far as the land issue is concerned Mugabe's thugs and cronies should certainly have it taken back off them. I'd suggest that the former farmers could then be inivited to rent significant parts of it. Hopefully this would get the required skills back on the land and provide some income for the government in addition to the taxes that they would be receiving - possibly to be used to fund an agricultural college so that the farming skills could be taught to some of the black african population in order that they might in due course take over larger amounts of land.

Guy, London,

We are praying fervently for the people of Zimbabwe.

Living Hope In Jesus
www.livinghopeinjesus.com

Stephen and Bonita Ann Richie, Memphis, USA

It's about time Mugabe got kicked out of office. Incompetent leaders always blame outside forces for their miscues. While ordinary people suffer, they and their cronies benefit from the chaos.

dodjie, Manila, Philippines

Alastair Roy.- Dear boy - do you mean "Grammar " ?

J Briers, Chiang Mai, Thailand

"Those who cast the votes decide nothing.
Those who count the votes decide everything."
(Josef Stalin)

R Hawley, Ellensburg, WA / USA

Daphne... what can I say, you're incredible. definitely not credible!

Only the truly distorted could possibly view the genuine concern exhibited by the vast majority of the western world, incuding those nasty former colonialists, the British as some sort of threat.

Whereas in reality we all just care deeply about the immense suffering of hundreds of thousands of completely innocent Zimbabweans inflicted by the rank and corrupt Mugabe dictatorship.

Zimbabwe is a potentially rich, friendly and bountiful country that has so much to offer it's people, yet this truly evil despot has managed to run the country to it's knees. How can you not see the truth without resorting to some trite colonialist racist speak.

Look at the facts and rejoice, like the rest of us, if Zimbabwe finally has light at the end of a very bleak and black Mugabe made tunnel.

As for the excrement stuff, you shouldn't believe anything ZPF tells you, I recall it was going to rain washing machines too

Clive, Australia,

Mugabe was a man who deserved to have his name spelled correctly.

Preest, Littlehampton, UK

The MDC has almost lost its chance for power. Mugabe is conceding only as much as he needs to, to stay in office. The parliamentary result means nothing to him. Parliament is just a rubber stamp. The critical thing Mugabe will not concede is the Presidency. He will order the electoral commission to declare that a Presidential runoff needs to be held. Mugabe will then delay the runoff, and for good measure find a pretext to call in the army to put down a 'disturbance'. He can then declare a state of emergency and rule by decree, and won't even have to rig the result of the runoff. At the moment Mugabe is lying low in case of overwhelming street protests. He may not even be in the country. The time is ripe for the MDC to organise a show of strength on the streets, to show the army that Zimbabweans will not tolerate Mugabe or his tricks any more. But I fear that if the MDC does not do it now, Mugabe wil will outwit everyone again with his combination of guile & brutality. Note Burma.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

Good grief Darphne! Trust your not at Cambridge 'uni'?

Kevin, Johannesburg, South Africa

I think Tsvangirai should let Mugabe live in peace in Zimbabwe. After all, he was the man who was responsible for emancipating Zimbabwe from Colonial rule. Tsvangirai would increase his credibility if he forgave Mugabe for whatever 'crimes against humanity' the world thinks he has committed. I believe that would show that Tsvangirai is the bigger man. I am sad to see Mugabe go like this. Everyone seems to forget that he fought the Liberation stuggle prior to 1980, and he was a good president in the first few years he was in power. He may have committed some wrongs during his last days of rule, but we shouldn't forget all the good he has done for Zimbabwe.

Mary Thembani, Whitechapel/London, United Kingdom

It is said that truth is stranger than fiction - a spokesman for Mr Mugabe has a Christian name of Bright yet the acronym of his title (Deputy Information Minister) is DIM!

Shirley Edwards, Bristol, UK

Daphne - Surely, if you are going to rant maniacally, it would be as well to do so with a modicum of grammer, so that we might attempt to understand what on earth it is that you are actually trying to say? It is the bit about food with excrement & urine that most intrigues me....

Alastair Roy, London, UK

Mugarbe was a Man of vision, White Europeans went to Africa and stole the Country from a defenceless people. Mugarbe was imprisoned for 10 years, who was an activist against Ian Smith, luckily I am old enough to know the crimes against the African people bey these European Racists who do not think Blacks have any right even in their own Land and Country. The Picture Britain & America paints, to the unassuming person would think they were sweetness and light Ireland only won their freedon in their own Country less than 6 Years ago from the British. Mugarbe was concerned his Country does not end up back in the hands of the same Racist the people risked their lives to take back. Un like Kenya Zimbwe will not take up arms or I hope not. They could understand what has happend to their people, in South Africa White South Africans were exposed of giving Black Workers Food to eat with excrement and Urine, and claim they have peace and reconcilliation. Mugarbe did not bring his Country down>

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

Perhaps Mugabe could take up residence in Cuba, or N. Korea. And I hope S. Africa realizes that they cannot follow the same path as Zimbabwe has done.

Roger Thompson, Hilliard, OH, USA

Lets be honest here. Aren't chances very good that this new guy will turn out to be just the latest "President for Life" in an African "democracy"? I recall the loud hoopla when Mugabe came into office to open a new era in black run democracy.

Jerry, seattle , usa

Britain hardly meddles in another country's affairs unless there is a vested interest. Unfortunately Zimbabwe has no oil and Britain's kith & kin (the ejected Rhodesian farmers) are long so there really is no credible pretext.. (much to the dismay of the international white community who can only dream on).

Forward the Black Star Line!

Dambudzo Marechera, Kumaraini, Zimbabwe

I hope the ban against Mugabe coming to Europe or USA stays for ever. I believe the ban is enshrined in a statutory instrument. I see no reason why any political figure would move to have it lifted. See The Overseas Territories (Zimbabwe) (Restrictive Measures) (Amendment) Order 2004 at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2004/20041111.htm

There is still the possibility that families of those he had killed will apply to the high court here to have him arrested should he come here. Last time they tried, the court application failed on grounds of immunity of a serving head of state.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

G Townsend, Elk Grove, CA, USA writes that "Mbeki supported his crony Mugabe to the utter detruction of the country which is absolutely not in the best interest of S Africa". I don't disagree except to add that both "statesmen" benefited from this arrangement. SA acquired literally millions of Rhodesians, many of them the more skilled sector benefiting the economy whilst they in turn kept Zimbabww sort-of-afloat by th funds they remitted.
Addressing another point, the regular left-wing types accuse the US of not intervening because their oil was not at issue. I think this a facile argument; anyway, the US has buckets of oil, both in Alaska & in traditional areas of the US where it was uneconomic or environmentally unfriendly to mine it. That will change rapidly with the rising price & new technology coming on stream. Further, both the US AND the UK should have intervened in Rhodesia and baulked fearing the backlash of Black Africa. News for you - Mugabe exploited the hatred anyway.

M.Lester, London, UK

Maybe Gt Britain could take in Robert Mugabe with the proviso that he travels via Heathrow T5. That should ensure that he's separated from his possessions for a long, long time.

David Jones, Xemxija, Malta

There is only one route to restoring Zimbabwe's economy and that is to return the land to those who had legal title to it. Securely held private property is always and everywhere the foundation on which prosperity is built. Most of the farms have been bought and sold countless times since 1896. it doesn't matter anymore that the land was held communaly back in the 19th century. What is at issue is whether the land can be husdanded productively today and in the future. Zimbabwe was gods own country and it can be again.

Arnold Ward, Weybridge, Surrey, UK

You can bet your life that Mugabe will now decide to leave Rhodesia and resettle in either London or the US, with a load of cash stolen from his countrymen.

pip, reigate, surrey

Gilbert Phiri is right. Let the Africans sort out their own problems, they seem pretty good at it.....hmm

Matt, London,

Gilbert, Unlike thr people of Iraq, the people of Zimbabwe are united & they agree the time for change has come. Any intervention by the world, would be elcome by everyone accept Mugabe and his cronies. Are you one of them?

BB, Glasgow,

Oh dear. This is a very sad development. One hopes the so-called "re-run" isn't a ploy by Mugabe to print even more faked ballot papers. Clearly this man will only go if he is dragged screaming and kicking from office.

As regards elections, we in the UK whose system allows a political party which has gained only 27 per cent of the vote to take office as a Government, are not really in a position to lecture others about democracy.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Presidential runoff vote in 21 days takes us to April 18th - Zimbabwe Independence day. Coincidence or plannned?

Elizabeth, Cape Town,

Talk about insulting our intelligence - we all know that Mugabe has lost by a landslide. What is utterly disgraceful is that he will not pay for what he has done to Zimbabwe.

Liz Williams, London,

Mike, Peterborough, Cambs.
Correction: Inflation is 100,000% not 1,200% like you said. Yes, that's right: one hundred thousand percent! And the guy wants another 5 years!

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Mugabe has failed by any metric of governmental performance. In addition to the well-publicised failures in the economy, health, education, etc, the country is now more divided than when he assumed power in 1980. Some achievement that!

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

We no the reason why the US and Britain have not intervend in any of the countries in South Africa......theres no oil there and thats the only reason we got involved in Iraq.

Michael, Dumfries, Scotland

If it had not been for the shamefully biased S African government this would have been the outcome at the last election. Mbeki supported his crony Mugabe to the utter detruction of the country which is absolutely not in the best interest of S Africa. Nearly a third of the people of Zimbabwe have left the country. Imagine what the result would have been if they stayed. A crushing defeat for Mugabe and Mbeki and his "destructive engagement" policy.

G Townsend, Elk Grove, CA, USA

2 Berts with one stone! Beat that as pun of the day.

ed, Bradford,

Since the ZEC has announced that MDC has won the election to the Parliament there seem to be two possibilities.

Mugabe has realised the game is up and is planning a dignified exit i.e. he cannot continue as executive President with a hostile Parliament.

Mugabe is planning to make the Parliament powerless - i.e. rule by decree, or give the Zanu PF the right to elect sufficient MPs to counter the MDC majority.

John Wood, Hull, UK

Mugabe must acept the results and go.People of Zim voted and they need answers, they cant wait anymore

chris, Benoni, south africa

Thank you Thabo Mbeki. Negotiating that election results are published at the Polling Stations may have been the decisive action to bring about the means for Zimbabwe's people to make their democratic views heard.

The biggest sticking point to a peaceful transition between Zano PF and the MDC is said to be the land issue. Most of the white farmers who previously owned/operated the farms have already left Zimbabwe. They are unlikely to return so little is to be gained from re-instatment but neither should Mugabe's cronies keep the land - particularly as they appear unable to farm it correctly. I wonder if nationalisation and the hiring of expert help from overseas would allow Zimbabwe to re-establish commercial scale agriculture to feed its people in the future? At least this could allow progress to be made while a more permanent solution to the land issue is worked out

Richard Spillman, Ancteville, FRANCE

Who are we to judge here in scotland after our election carry on.
I used to go to school in Zimbabwe when it was Rhodesia.
It was a beautiful country with great people. Lets Hope the result is the correct one and the country gets back to its former glory. Get rid of the Dictator.

Frank, Edinburgh,

If it's too close to call on the re-rig - probably held around April 18th, Independence Day, to remind everyone how grateful they are to Mr. Mugabe - then perhaps the idea of a transitional coalition government will be floated...

Rod Coustan, Buckfastleigh, Devon

Inflation at 1200%,unemployment at 80%,life expectancy at 37 years.Come off it,of course you are going to be re-elected.

Mike, Peterborough, Cambs.

The old man should just give it up and go as of the genocide in Matebeleland only God will deal with him about that because humans have failed.

NQOBIZITHA NDLOVU, LEEDS, UK

Harry Brompton who are you? You dare come to Southern Africa and try to sort out Mugabe and you will see why Bill Clinton pulled out American forces from Somalia and dared not intervene in Rwanda. Ignorance is really a cheap commodity in the Uk!

Gilbert Phiri, Swindon, UK

You've done your worst Mugabe, it's time to go ... may you rot in hell.

Vaughan, Sydney, Australia

We seem all too happy with toppling Saddam and creating enormous civil unrest in Iraq, yet we cannot intervene in a country that has needed international help for the last two decades. How is it that Saddam is executed and we simply sit and watch Mugabe rig another election, allowing him to cause much more suffering and further international crisis

Harry Brompton, Loughborough, England

This sounds exactly like the American elections...what a brilliant way to win.
I can't believe the people of Zimbabwe would want someone like mugabe to lead their country, he's old and past it just like most of the MPs in the British parliament.

paul, poole, gb

This is awful! The pain and agony of the Zimbabwean people is set to continue for another three weeks, and quite likely beyond. During this time, Mugabe will probably mobilise his private militia to coerce people to vote for him. He will not go quietly.

It is surely time the international community, led by Britain, stepped in to stop this nonsense. The election has already been rigged. ZANU(PF) did not win anywhere near the number of parliamentary seats being quoted here. The presidential election has equally been rigged to give Tsvangirai less than 50%. A re-run will definitely be rigged.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK