Fellow zimbabweans life is very tough here.2Litres cooking oil here is going for 20billion dollars as I write now yet many people are getting 10billion and beyond salary.This is the same Grace who last week vowed that Tsvangirai would never set foot in the state house nomatter the odds.Nowonder why

josephat, Harare, Zimbabwe

What is happening to the world today can be a sign of the coming back of Jesus Christ. The wars, earthquakes, xenophobia attacks, hunger for power, you name it. Let's just pray so that God will bless Africa, and the rest of the world.

Mamoyo, Cape Town, South Africa

Born in zimbabwe yet cannot return- this lout of a dictator needs to go- yet ppl are to afraid to vote against him- ppl must be brave and oust him and his crooked cronies once and for all!!!!

ian, birkenhead, uk

It is painful to see what my beloved homeland has become. I used to think its only Mugabe making our lives miserable, but Its the Army and security chiefs, the Police commissioner & all those who support him in power because they dont want to give up the luxury they r getting and stealing from our

Joni Mabwe, Mbare, Zimbabwe

As we Zimbabweans draw closer to the election date fear grips a lot of people because of what is happening in our beloved nation,we have watched hopeless as Mugabe is destroying our nation to the last bit,inocent people are being slaughtered like animals in the rural areas.
4 howlong will this last

shepard, bulawayo, zimbabwe

Wouldn't it be nice if the Italian shop owners refused to serve her - or even better, chucked her out of their shops?

Rod Baker, Cape Town, South Africa

I'd simply send in the British army to liberate the people of Zimbabwe and remove Mugabe's whole regime. It would probably take all of ten minutes but of course the liberal left won't allow such things so millions more will needlessly die.

Mikko Takala, Drumnadrochit, Scotland

How dare she even show her face overseas!!! she is just showing the world that her husband is a true dictator. we all know whats happening back home, starvation and poverty yet she can go on shopping sprees? dont worry my fellow Zimbabweans, the Lord has a plan. He will never lead us astray.

nancy, Gainesville, USA

I wish we had superdelegates in Zimbabwe. Run off would be a dream for Bob and Grace

Tororo, Burlington, USA

Many African countries have had similar problems of the politicians in power becoming dictatorships. The West gave many African nations democracy, and the strongest parties used it to take power, and then, by other methods, they kept the power for their own benefit.

Paul, Richmond, Texas,

The African leaders, especially in Southern Africa, should agree what is, and is not, acceptable. In this case they should be able to persuade Mugabe to have a legal election, or tell him that he is not the acceptable leader of his nation.

Paul, Richmond, Texas,

South Africa, as chairman of the Southern Africa community, has failed to use its diplomatic pressures to stabilize the region. South Africa has suffered by the incursion of refugees from Zimbabwe. Why don’t the other Southern African leaders stand up and lead Africa forward?

Paul, Richmond, Texas,

I think you get what you deserve when it comes to your government. You cannot give people freedom, democracy or justice. It has to be demanded from the bottom up. And until it is, more & more people will be beaten, murdered, raped and starved to death. Meddling has never improved the situation.

Cat, Houston, USA

It is sad fact that while people are dying from starving their leaders and family members can ignore such conditions and enjoy lavish lifestyle.

David Dzidzikashvili, Cambridge, MA, USA

When humanity - of its own free will - accepts the principle of sharing and asks Maitreya and his group of masters, who are likewise returning to the world, how do we do this, how do we set about sharing, then we will find that the plan is already there.

Jaap den Haan, Namen,

As an ex-South African now living in the US I feel I must comment on the statement that all African presidents are like Mugabe...I can only hope that you are referring to current politicos, because to characterize Nelson Mandela as ANYWHERE close to that worthless tyrant is a disgrace.

Terri, Irvine, USA

I've served for 35 years abroad in many nations and have family in Harare. Zimbabwe was built to prosper. His didctatorship has torn the very fabric that made that nation envious to many in Africa. He can't possibly think people are proud of him? There will be no monuments for this fool.

Craig, Babylon, Iraq

Liz, they all are millionaires but the money is worthless. We all knew what was going to happen, didn't we, as we were warned about the slaughter of tens of thousands with more to come. But no one believed Ian Smith and the rest of the resident experts because they were white. Shame on us all.

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

Mugabe has ruined this once proud nation previously known as the bread basket of Africa. He is a tyrant with no soul or feelings whatsoever for the people, His quest to remain in power includes every act of violence imaginable to maintain his position. Its a disgusting shame.

Bob Ledbetter, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

i am so fed up with majority of african leaders. they lack morals that uphold our society. they shamelessly stick to power even when they should resign. why cant they use their fat salaries? the presidents themselves can stop their spouses from misuse of power/money-we need the money for development

mwn, nairobi, kenya

African president's and their wives are ALL like Mrs Mugabe ...

In this case the media is making it an issue - what about the wives of other leaders ?

All using taxpayers money ...??

Vishal Patel, London, Uk

Boris --not THE Boris by any chance?-- do you really believe this man is capable of something so finessed as embarrassment?

David Masu, Zürich,

Africa's nightmare is fueled by an arrogant political and rich class that got in office on their poor's back.Getting the majority citizens to see through their leaders' hypocrisy is a first step.How ironical the First Shopper is stuck in luxury while begging Zimbabweans are being kicked out of SA.

SJ, Nairobi, Kenya

i must say that these people such as mrs mugabe and imelda marcos are only mirroring the individuals who are hailed by the colonists themselves and pressuring them to acculturate and assimilate WHAT they are now dissapointed when they try to accumulate as much as they can even in the case of shoes!!

rodney little bird, san francisco, u.s.a.

I should hope that the moral fibre that runs through us all meant that Grace was denied any opportunity of any kind to shop at or from world-famous boutiques whilst in Rome. It's an absolute disgrace that she is even there, whilst her people silently starve to death - I hope she is ashamed!!

Claire, Oxford,

Charan Muzaya.

I agree with that, but how can it be changed? There must be at least some moral and decent African leaders to take example from. If not then Africa can only struggle on regardless.

Boris, Belgravia, London

Mugabe is probably worried about the embarrassment of his wife being photographed luxury shopping while Zimbabweans starve. There is no excuse for these people and any regime apologist attempting to shift the blame for their own nations failures is clearly seen as complicit in the same criminal game

Boris, Belgravia, London

I thought she was Zimbabwe's ONLY shopper - no-one else has any money!

Liz, London,

Visit an African Minister's office? How much would that set me back then?

Steve, London, UK

What can you say?

Andy, London,

Your article has captured the essence of what political power means in Africa: shopping and lavish living. That's what it's all about. If you visit an African minister's office, there is mostly nothing on the desk, perhaps a list of girlfriends' phone numbers or shopping list. This must stop!

Charan Muzaya, London, UK