Contesting would have legitimized the violence as Mugabe would claim victory. The saddest part is failure of SADC and Mbeki especially to condemn what is plainly an abuse of SADC .
What is so difficult for SADC to tell the truth about Zim? The people of Zim are not a violent race.

Sam, HARARE, Zimbabwe

Mugabe is not in the league of say, Stalin, Mao or Pol Pot he is trying. We can now expect "purges" of "opponents", since he understands brutalising his people gets him what he wants. It does seem he at least has the ambition of getting into the top league.

Andy Wicks, Bexleyheath, United Kingdom

To those of you who think this is a race or colonial issue - get over yourselves. Murder is murder and to stand by and do nothing to help our fellow man when he/she is the victim is to be complicit. If you were the vitim I am guessing you would want someone, anyone to come to your aid.

Susan, Dallas, USA

Mugabe is one of the last relics of Soviet-era 'socialist' regimes in the developing world.

First Algeria went, then Libya, then Tanzania, then Iraq. How long can this defunct regime hold on?

The best response is: wain for Mugabe to die, then the people around him will have to negotiate.

Daniel, London, UK

John Iteshi, Mugabe isn't the worst in history; we've had some that beat him in this continent. Mugabe is, after all, only raping his own country. That's rather the point. (It makes it hard to intervene.)

No-one's under any delusions about Zuma. He's taking a position contrary to Mbeki's that's all

Rachel, Bristol,

Jim from Memphis. I'm not going to defend white supremacists, but at *least* when they realised they could only cling to power using techniques of violent repression on a large scale, they realised the game was up. In the end they weren't prepared to do to the people of Zimbabwe what Mugabe's doing.

Rachel, Bristol,

Yes, I blame it on the Brits and US President Jimmy Carter. You forced out a government in Rhodesia, and put Mugabe in power.

Look well, you liberals on what you have wrought. Zimbabwe is what YOU made it.

Jim, Memphis, USA

To White supemacists who dominate the Times and the BBC, you have to agree that Mugabe is the worst dictator in history to be a friend of the west.We all remember how Jacob Zuma had zero credibility before British media, but the moment he began to condemn Mugabe, he instantly became a hero!

John Iteshi, London, UK

It's all rather sickening - what matters in the world? .... just money ! It's hardly surprising that the 'West' is termed 'The Decadent West' by so many on this planet. The West lack belief in a 'hereafter' , in a God - that's the main problem - The West Lives for itself ... NOW.

Hugh, Buckfastleigh, England

Mugabe knows exactly what he is doing, and that he can do what he likes as the rest of the world won't lifta finger to stop him. He's a lot cleverer than any other government around today.

Bob Brown, Irvine, California

"The US could, however, muster two colored divisions, which would take one week to restore democracy. Wiliam Bemister, Oxford, Englnd"

William, would you want to be part of what would inevitably become known as the "Uncle Tom" Division?

Homer, London,

Respect for the sanctity of human life is the prime measure of civilized people. We tolerate those who do not respect our lives - or their own - at our peril!

Ian D Goddard, Durham, NC, USA

I agree with kamalunga,luton - "...Mugabe has always been a murderer" & that when UK, US ignored the 1982 murders, we were liable. But the UK is still liable now - we installed this dictator & wrung our hands afterwards. It's the Brits who have to act -Mbeki is not going to act against his old mate

M.Lester, London, UK

An other Idi Amin!

Mary, London,

It is indeed repugnant to pardon the mad mugabe and his generals,it sends the wrong message out to the world,but of course i can see why you mr hain,and the rest of the world leaders do not wont the rule of law applied as it would be to us ordinary mortals.

kev, London, uk

While one is by no means supporting dictatorship, the truth is that the problem in Zimbabwe is internal. And the economic problem in the country is partly as a result of santions by the West. Suggesting another Iraq in Africa is sinful. An emphatic approach to Mugabe's case will make more sense.

FEMI OWOEYE, LAGOS, NIGERIA

The US and UK once decided armed intervention was the only option to deal with Mugabe and his cohorts. But a white invasion would certainly lead to the withdrawal of Africa from the Commonwealth. The US could, however, muster two colored divisions, which would take one week to restore democracy.

Wiliam Bemister, Oxford, Englnd

It is an embarrassing sitution for the rest of Africa. The recommendations made in this article are staright to the point. However, the armed intervention should come from the African countries and not Britain or USA. Tanzania intervened in Uganda to help overthrow Idi Amin. Does Mbeki has guts?

Paul Abudu, Georgia, USA

Right on the mark!

JR, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Mugabe a man of the Cloth acting out dictatorship that he calls democrecy? A very silly person sick in mind and soul to bring down a once Africa food basket to poverty and hunger. I agree his time is up and Mbeki must start doing the proper steps to live out the ANC fredom charter

Werksesel, Johannesburg , South Africa

There's no oil in Zimbabwe, so why should the US and UK care?

Wesley, Hastings, United Kingdom

"... confronted with a mad, violent dictator unresponsive to international pressure.."

Are you mad? What international pressure? Saddam Hussein complied with all UN demands. Nothing he did satisfied the Bush-Blair war criminals who were determined to invade and destroy Iraq -- which they did.

Steve d'Apollonia, Ottawa,

what a mess
Mugabe knows that if he let democracy run free, he'd have to flee his palaces, and run away from interpol, who would have him on various charges against his people. He's 84, average life expectancy is 37 in zimbabwe, his time will come, sooner , rather than later.

peter townsend, london,

When will our enlightened leaders do something about this lunatic?

This man is a War Criminal guilty of 'Crimes Against Humanity' - pure and simple

Arrest him and put him on trial NOW!

Colin Grover, Bomlo, Norway

How long must this madness continue? People are being murdered purely because of their political beliefs in this day and age? If the west has no dependance on Zimbabwe like it does with Iraq then nothing will change. What a tragedy!

Simon Greener, London,

I ask all African leaders and the OAU to publicly condemn the horrific Mugabe!! - bloodthirsty duplicitous ogre & fascist; that he is. It is good to see him categorically defined as such. "IDI AMIN II" .
My late wife assisted in Mugabe's installation (LANCASTER HOUSE). Down with evil Mugabe!

John Smith, London,

Much as we respect your views,it is obvious that your views are tainted by the myopic vision of a combined grief over loss of a colony and a penchant of using superior power (political and military) against "erring" countries who do not tow your line.Its time to come out of this mindset and dialogue

anith, ban,

only sa have the power to remove this dictator.

they know it,and everyone else knows it .

rsa, will have a lot to answer for

kenny hamilton, bradford, england

The U.S. has it's hands full in Iraq and Afghanistan.

How about someone else stepping up to the plate for a change?

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

Send some of those US and British troops from Iraq and Afghanistan to go and do a job that actually needs doing.

Michael, UK,

Blame it on the Brits and Americans who feasted with Mugabe as he killed 20 000 of his own people in the 80s.Even Zimbabweans of the Shona tribe did not oppose it,today because both whites and Shonas are victims too,there is so much crying...STOP THE HYPOCRICY...Mugabe has always been a murderer

kamalunga, luton, uk