Dispatches

Comments

1. I used to visit Zim every December till 1997. The writing was on the wall by then and things took a turn for the worst by the factor of a million! No law enforcement, no respect for any person or his/her belongings etc. It is sad to say that I have seen the same characteristics in the current day South Africa. It is a pity that the events down there don't get 1% of the media cover as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. It may change the world leaders' stance against investing in the Southern parts of Africa.

   Posted by Baron on 05/10/2009 11:42:27

   Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
2. To whom it may concern; I have missed and heard a lot about this program and would like to know how I can see both episodes again. Looking forward to hear from you. Sincerely

   Posted by Harry Ackerman on 31/08/2009 19:46:49

   Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
3. Introduced other areas of concern - powerful business men. So rich and growing that they will have the capability of ruling Zimbabwe and entering into agreements, and who knows treaties, with regimes not opposed to Mugabe's regime, whether Mugabe is still around or not. It proved it's not about black and white but power and control.

   Posted by Cheryl on 01/08/2009 12:36:40

   Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
4. My suspicion over Mugabe's land reform policy was confirmed.From the onset of the Constitutional Commission of Chidyausiku and Jonathan Moyo,I always urged that Mugabe is a self-centred and self-serving individual who will do anything to keep himself in power.Dispatches nailed this argument and for those millions of Zimbabweans who were in doubt-what a wake-up call.Tsvangirai and MDC beware.

   Posted by Bere G on 01/08/2009 01:11:12

   Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
5. The Archbishop of York, and Archbishop of Rwanda have both spoken out publicily about the magnificent work done by missionaries in Africa, and I have witnessed the same repeatedly over many years in that country. Zimbabwian people have always been known as the loveliest of people - so godly gentle and grateful, and still are - but unfortunately, some who have been BRAIN WASHED and INFLUENCED BY MUGABE have become THUGS AND MURDERERS, and like Mugabe himself, will one day FACE a Holy God, WHO will DEAL with them JUSTLY...and there will be NO way out for any of them . Whey THEY DIE they will take none of their ill gotten wealth with them! What needs to be addressed NOW is the terrible suffering, and the unbelievable WICKEDNESS that abounds towards the ordinary Zimbabwian people, from those who are guilty of such atrocities in their desperate power posturing methods to satisfy their greed. WHAT is the U.N. DOING? The Africa Union is doing nothing but prop Mugabe up - just as the U.K. & E.U. & USA govts. seem to be DOING little but TALK! DELAY is DENIAL! Compromise never works, and tho' Morgan T. was desperate to stop the SUFFERING and may have been influenced by his compassion for his people, he was banking on AND HOPING for Mugabe to change.....but a leopard CAN'T change it's spots ! However, the ONLY thing that will CHANGE things in Zimbabwe, is real earnest prayer to ALMIGHTY GOD both inside and outside of Zimbabwe. Those of us now on the outside can continue to pray, and also physically support the people on the ground (NOT via the GOVT.) via oranizations we can trust - to get the money & food to the people who desperately need it. Thank you to Aiden Hartley for your concern and bravery in going there and for making this documentary - I pray it will encourage us all NOT to give up or become discouraged in our efforts to help the SUFFERING people of Zimbabwe, and to continue to pray earnestly for them. Remember...with God NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE ! We must press on. PRAY EARNESTLY FOR ZIMBABWE.

   Posted by Mabel F on 30/07/2009 11:52:49

   Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
6. thank you very much for exposing mugabe for what he really is. It is clear that there is little power sharing in Zimbabwe when MDC still have no say on many issues. I hope the home office will acknowledge this factual documentaty when dealing with Zimbabwean exiles in the UK. Thank You Channel 4!!

   Posted by PETER ZINDAWA on 30/07/2009 11:37:50

   Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
7. will anyone ever help the people in zimbabwe...???????

   Posted by hagen1982 on 29/07/2009 23:52:16

   Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
8. Excellent! Could you please do a program about how Hugo Chavez is staying on power? Free Venezuela from Chavez!!!! Thanks.

   Posted by Anonimus Venezuelan on 29/07/2009 23:27:10

   Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
9. Why is Britain sending asylum seekers back or refusing them stay when evidence has been put to book in such a clear manner? Every person in the world must know that there is no way we can change the situation in Zimbabwe without foreign intervention. In Afghanistan they are busy eradicating the so called Taliban why not in Zimbabwe? It seams when Africans are suffering no one wants to help but when other nations around are in problems, the world comes to help? WHY????????

   Posted by Freedom Fighter on 29/07/2009 14:23:23

   Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
10. Well done for this timely program and to Aidan Hartley and his team for exposing some of what's going on in Zimbabwe. Why are Phil Edmonds and Camec able to operate from offices in England without anything being done about it? This guy should have his assets frozen at the least if he is a major donor responsible for propping up this odious regime. Surely this should be investigated further.

    Posted by Adrian on 29/07/2009 13:28:04

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
11. ZULUBOY - i don't think that the repeats will be on the internet , until the next show of dispatches has been on the tv

    Posted by AmyLouise on 29/07/2009 09:45:51

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
12. Just want to give Adrian a million thanks for exposing all the evil things happening in our lovely Zimbabwe.The Goverment national Unity will never work as long as Robert Mugabe is still in power.How many times has Robert Mugabe Vowed never to salute Tsvangirai..i do not understand why The Movement of Democartic Change went into the unity government for when violence is still at it's peak in zimbabwe.This is going to shade more blood for our innocent people.The zimbabwean leaders are expecting internationl Aid from the first world countries and yet both America and Britain are hit with Worst recession ever.Who can spare anyone taxpayer's money to pay Zimbabwean teachers with forex just because Robert Mugabe have refused to step down from power.Most african presidents are just the same,infact they are all corrupt and greedy.The only way to make a new Zimbabwe is by forcing evil Robert Mugabe to step Down.As long as Zimbabwe lacks Democracy and rule of law then noone feels safe to return home.We need more helpful programmes like this ,maybe one day he will plead guity of all his genocide,murder and corruption cases.

    Posted by Melody Nyakwima on 29/07/2009 00:29:27

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
13. All my thanks to the reporter and his crew, you are the best. Mugabe and his gang of thieves should face instant justice and this should include the stupid and silly people like the one who called himself comrade landmine, how can a grown up person gives himself such a name? its a shame. Zimbabwe with the international assistance should go back to what it used to be, the bread basket of Southern Africa. How can the world just sit and watch all the abuses going on the country? Such expose should be posted on every news network and every social websites. People of the world, lets unite and throw the book of law to Mugabe and his gang of thieves. all the companies that are benefitting from the suffering of the Zimbabwean population should face the consequence, no exempt. the blood of the children of Zimbabwean people is in the hands of the people who are not standing up to condemn what is going on in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe belongs to peace loving people of all backgrounds. Lets stand up and unite against Mugabe. And lets not rest till Zimbabwe is at peace.

    Posted by loshtoh on 28/07/2009 19:46:24

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
14. I missed a programme on 27/7/09 'Despathes: Bankrolling Mugabe'. why has it been omitted from the catch up programmes? I am very upset because i have been trying all dy. Can somebody help me please.

    Posted by zuluboy on 28/07/2009 19:28:02

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
15. Thankyou for making this film.The world doesn't seem to care about Zimbabwe,the British government is deaf and blind to the murder,torture and starvation of people by their own government.I lived in Zim in the 1980s,it was a beautiful country,the bread basket of Africa.Sadly,too many people are making millions from the suffering of Zimbabweans.The British government has blood on it's hands,and sadly it's not the only one. I see the usual ZPF web-bots have commented,fortunatly they are easy to spot,and with films like this,the truth will continue to get out. Zimbabwe actually wasn't a British colony at the time of independance,UDI was declared in the 1960s.Mugabe got into power through intimidation,it wasn't a fair election and his government have been murdering people for years.The world didn't care in the 1980s,will they now I wonder? Well done to your crew,a brilliant documentary made under very dangerous circumstances.

    Posted by Dudley Hall on 28/07/2009 17:44:14

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
16. An excellent and revealing piece of journalism. It clears exposes what a hypocrite Tsvangirayi is. So much for saying things are now better back home when the evidence points to the contrary. It's worth noting that that ZANU PF uses its opponents to feed crocodiles, hence the interest in crocodile farming. Forget the GNU it's high time all Zimbabweans stood up and be counted. All the GNU has done is to legitimise Mugabe and his corrupt regime. It's safe to say Tsvangirayi now sees himself as part of the establishment. It is funny how power changes someone. We shall not rest untill the Mugabe and company are punished for the crimes.

    Posted by Mhosva Hairovi on 28/07/2009 17:21:41

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
17. I found the documetary quite informative and actually vindicates my approach to the whole debacle as detailed in my blog at http://lsd-forum.livejournal.com and http://lsdforum.wordpress.com. I have always been of the opinion that the only thing that will work for my beloved country is for Mugabe to be removed from power and an international peace keaping or stabilisation force(UNAZIM) put in place to guarantee the security of the ordinary peoples and provide stability during the time the army and the police are retrained and refocussed through an international effort. Progress can never be achieved through unholy compromises that only benefit the political elite whilst leaving the general man subject to whims of the politically powerful. The prisoners are dying enmass and we have been campaigning for the release of all prisoners as one of the 10 points that we as a pressure group have proposed to the powers that be and other pressure groups, as this situation does not only dehumanise the victims but the jailors and us as the Zimbabwean community for allowing this to happen during our watch. The only way to rescue the country from its current course is the application of the Ten Point Plan with all its tenets.

    Posted by Inkosinathi Mguni on 28/07/2009 15:01:39

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
18. this was brilliant, i have never seen dispatches , but i thought i would watch it, it shocked me so much , adrian did a brilliant report, it is disgusting what has happening to these people in Zimbabwe, thank god you uncovered this.. keep up the brilliant work you are doing. Amy Louise age 16

    Posted by Amy Louise on 28/07/2009 14:57:02

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
19. It often occurred to me that something odd was afoot the endless ability of the regime to carry despite all manner of trade and personal sanctions, both trading and travel wise. It appears the Dogs Of War or its more recent reincarnation played out in the movie Blood Diamonds lends a whole new meaning for Zimbabwe. The land gab and rape of this lovely and once a standard bearer economically is down to a few individuals, part of a collective gang called ZANU PF. Be they white or black they are only interested in asset striping this country. The British Government and South Africans should come down hard on those Multi Nationals trading together with those individuals, those that fix things for this regime. The report was the best I have seen to date on this topic The reporter and ground team displayed a lot courage it left me feeling that they should take care. But much thanks for telling the story.

    Posted by desmond on 28/07/2009 14:37:20

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
20. I am a Zimbabwean living in the UK and a victim of the despotic regime of Robert Mugabe. The program was well documented with wealthy of information. The Home Ofice in this country is trying to potray that the situation in Zimbabwe has returned to normal and when your program is documenting the people who are being killed and not on the roll of honours as noone besides your good work can let the world know. Keep up the good work and expose all the politicians like Mugabe who is harbouring wanted people. Did you try and interview the President of the Southern Africa Interpol who is in Zimbabwe to see if they can summon an arrest of the Billy. This is another way of exposing such organisation as Interpol

    Posted by patson muzuwa on 28/07/2009 13:49:20

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
21. A highly informative documentary, hats off to Aidan Hartley for such a fair portrayal of the current Zimbabwe. My question is what where those so called reputable and ethical companies doing in Zimbabwe during economic sanctions, "Anglo Platinum and Marks and Spencers", are they taking a leaf out of the 'Rautenbauch' book?

    Posted by TRANSPARENT on 28/07/2009 13:02:55

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
22. it is very difficult what to say and do when you see such a footage about the current situation in Zimbabwe.Nothing can not be done as long that man is still in power and believe me when i say so.Let only God do justice and peace to our country as man have done the opposite that.Prayer is the only answer for us to survive and pass through this.we wont currently but our future generation will do pass through this only if we stand together and let God intervene.Otherwise it is very sad to see and feel that pain knowing that you are in better living standards and your brothers and sisters with no cater of age group still suffer upto the current time and nothing can be done. Thanks for the investigations but you be careful too.that place is very dangerous to deal with if anything goes wrong

    Posted by rights book on 28/07/2009 12:27:20

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
23. It is very sad to see that in this day and age another Hitler is allowed to operate in this way. My heart goes out to all the people suffering in this country. Finding hope and courage when you are starving and beaten and living in fear 24/7 is not something I could do easily. They must wonder why the rest of the world is not doing something to help them - they are fed such propaganda through state owned media channels. African leaders need to inspire hope and faith in Africa by targeting dicators and corruption like this through proper justice systems. I wish world leaders would take action against Mugabe and his henchmen/women. Thanks to the crew who filmed this commercial. Pity Zimbabwe doesn't have oil, then the world would've done something about this long ago. How long can we let greed, power hungry and selfish people get away with this behaviour? This is not humanity. South Africa should get off the fence and mobilise all other African countries to stop this madman. The combined government there will never work. Would we have allowed regime's like this in America or Britian?? I hope Obama does something about this.

    Posted by Been there on 28/07/2009 11:32:23

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
24. A good investigative report which shows the world the hypocrisy of world politics and the empty rhetoric about targetted sanctions. You sacrificed your life and limb to get us live and dangerous insights into Zimbabwe's ugly farm occupations. Thank you for a wonderful service to humanity.

    Posted by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri on 28/07/2009 11:27:46

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
25. This was an amazing report i am not sure why it has taken so long to make a report like this on Zimbabwe because it has been going on for so many years now and Mugabe and his "friends" have been getting away with it for so long!! Thanks for reporting on this!

    Posted by Tim on 28/07/2009 11:19:38

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
26. Simply to say that it was the best Tv documentary I've seen. It painted a clear but terrifying picture of life under a ruthless and incompetent dictator. It is so very sad that a country once described as the bread basket of Africa is reduced to such a state that half its population is starving. The programme makers should be congratulated; it must have taken a great deal of skill and COURAGE to make it. How about a follow up? What can HM government do? What can we do? Colin HUntley

    Posted by ColinHuntley on 28/07/2009 09:04:33

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
27. Adrian you have done a good job and the rest of the Zimbabweans and I that are still feeling the pain thank you. I have read all the comments on this issue and I had to sit back in amazement and disbelief to some of the comments. For those that do not feel the pain that the rest of the Zimbabweans are feeling and that choose to be blind to the pure brutality and wickedness that is being imposed on fellow Zimbabweans by one of their own, then you must be delusional or have serious mental health problems. You get comments of I have been in Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is fine.....Ya if you have been staying at the Sheraton Hotel. What of the common people that survive only by the money they receive from the only son/daughter or relative overseas. Eclectic and water only coming on two to three hours a day from ridiculous times such as two or three o'clock at night. This is Just the survival part. The brutality, the lack of freedom, freedom of speech, People move in fear watching over their shoulders. The torture both underground and in prisons is unbelievable. When I saw the pictures from the prions, I did not recognise that as being in Zimbabwe, the last time such pictures were in public view was during the Somalia drought plea. With regards to claiming violence to come overseas, what people do not understand its how people in the diaspora are also suffering. Families are fragmented, dignity and self worth are lost during the process of living overseas, Teachers and educated Zimbabweans are finding themselves cleaning toilets, just for survival and not for themselves but for their families in Zimbabwe. Children can not go further with higher Education or go to university because of the systems. People want to come home, but they can not come home to this, nothing has changed, Just a different name still the same people and the same inhumanity continues...... With regards to those that have set up business in Zimbabwe and working hard to improve Zimbabwe, I commend them and its a pity that the government that is encouraging us to return home to help is destroying the only reason that we could return home for through greed and corruption

    Posted by Pure on 28/07/2009 02:33:27

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
28. Well done Adrian.Of all the documentaries i have watched about Zimbabwe,yours come very close to potraying the real situation on the ground coz you were on the frontline.You saw an african version of the Taliban.Gvt of National Unity is just there on paper but in reality for Mugabe that's the perfect opportunity to do business as usual.In as much as we all want to see Mugabe's back that man wont go anywhere coz he is a man who started his political career eating porridge for breakfast behind bars during the colonial era.So the prospect of seeing his last days on earth eating the same stuff again locked away just drains all the blood out of his veins.So for as long as he's still breathing he would rather die on the job than face Judge George May in the Hague.Remember May has built up a reputation for taking on political despots at the Nertherlands court

    Posted by Jonso on 28/07/2009 00:34:49

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
29. Channel 4 great journalism there hats off to all of you!

    Posted by Tswanaboy on 27/07/2009 23:57:48

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
30. Did I see former Botswana president with Billy Rautenbach on despatches "Bankrolling Mugabe"

    Posted by TswanaboyIntelligent on 27/07/2009 23:37:43

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
31. Great work Adrian and your crew.Its always difficult to work under those conditions where there is no rule of law.The law is for the selected few who squander the country's natural resources without any accountability,but you managed to come up with a very balanced piece of work. Well done,more of that needs to be done for people to realize that Mugabe and his cronies still kill and murder their own people with impunity.

    Posted by Biggaz on 27/07/2009 22:08:23

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
32. Commentary didn’t really match the pictures did it? How come the white farmer you filmed says he's going to the police, then says there is no law and order? He wouldn't be so keen to call on the police in most African countries North of Zimbabwe would he? Tar roads looked in good condition contrary to previous reports. We heard traffic in some clips but camera was mostly pointing into the sky or at 2nd floor of city buildings then. Why? Alexander Fuller author of Lets not go to the dogs tonight wrote of her father working on Nuanetsi Ranch. I’m sure a white man owned it up to 2002 so how did the 60 black farmers reported in your film as now being thrown off get onto the ranch? Were they the invaders or squatters Channel 4 have told us about previously? Terrible hearing about the brutality and torture out there. Surely it’s time we (the Western World) supported the government of National Unity in Zimbabwe as we do that of Kenya (that is we promote tourism to Kenya) and give a little more than a derisory 40 million of aide that will surely discredit Morgan T’s claims to be a world leader. Very poor show. Any chance you’d give me a chance to make a public commentary on your documentary? Now or in the future?

    Posted by Eric on 27/07/2009 21:56:52

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
33. More programs like this are needed to mount pressure on Mugabe and his regime. please make them more puplic eg post on u tube,channel 4 &BBC news etc.we need to exert political pressure,marches and public awareness in UK-i am available.

    Posted by Rob on 27/07/2009 21:32:30

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
34. It is indeed a sad portrayal of the situation in Zimbabwe. Mr Tsvangirayi then goes on to ask people to return to Zimbabwe for what? There is absolutely no security there and there are no guarantees that if you start a successful business today it will still be yours tomorrow! What's the point. Yet another sad African story. I think the continent is doomed

    Posted by Mudhara Pfende on 27/07/2009 21:30:46

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
35. The Lancaster House agreement was set up for willing buyer/seller situations and expired in 1990. If ZANU PF had not finished taking over all the farms they wanted it was not because of a failure on Britain's part to finance the deal but ZANU's incompetancy. Having watched the dispatches broadcast I can assure everyone that the intimidation and violence on the farms shown is very real and has been for the last 10 years; and I talk from personal experience. There is no excusing Mugabe for the attrocities and distruction of the economy no matter what has happened in the UK or USA and anyone comparing Zim with what goes on elsewhere is only following Mugabe's lead in trying to exhonerate himself for his deads.

    Posted by Alan McCormick on 27/07/2009 21:22:24

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
36. Excellent program - but will anything happen to prosecute the businesses that are breaking the sanctions? One can hope...

    Posted by Alan Stephens on 27/07/2009 21:16:46

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
37. thought the report was very interesting, good to see how there is unbelievable corruption still going on in the country, its undeniable the state of the country speaks for itself.Yes its about trying to understand how such a once wealthy country has been allowed to fall into such disarray, only normal to look at those responsible for the country's wealth to a larger degree ie:the government,whatever the motivation.its not about blame but looking to ways to find a solution.u cant fix what u dont confront

    Posted by dana on 27/07/2009 21:09:50

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
38. It should be remembered that Mugabe was not elected because the people loved him. After so much suffering and death during the 'Liberation War" they just wanted it to stop and Mugabe-as leader of the largest terrorist group- was the only person who could make that happen.

    Posted by Shamwari on 27/07/2009 21:07:21

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
39. A brilliant portrail of the situation in Zimbabwe. More programs like this are needed to mount pressure on Mugabe and his regime. Well done

    Posted by David Benzon on 27/07/2009 21:00:07

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
40. Firstly there is nothing undercover about Aidan Hartley's work having been to Zimbabwemyself recently. People are openly talking in Zimbabwe not this siege situation that Aiden is trying to paint. This obviously works for him because programmes like Dispatches are supposed to shock people. As this guy as a journalist tried to study the Zimbabwean constitution as amended to find out the distribution of power. Of course the president the head of security apparatus that's why he is referred to as the Commander in Chief just like in the US or any other republic with a president. To try and lie about violence in Zimbabwe at this point in time is just plain lies to make the story more captivating. I think Aidan would have done his own credibility a favour by exploring the challenges facing Zimbabwe's new inclusive government rather than the predictable and tired pursuit of the African hero Robert Mugabe. Aidan's MDC sources remind me of the BBC's interview with one Sekai Holland in which he told the guy what he wanted to hear then later on she disowned the interview after being contradicted by Tsvangirai. The problem with the western media now is that because Tsvangirai is saying things they do not want him to be saying about Mugabe, they are now avoiding him for interviews. Aidan, how about covering the US's ZIDERA and the covert UK sanctions against Zimbabwe as a dispatches item. I am sure you will find too many skeletons in the closet of No 10.

    Posted by Dzvunyangoma on 27/07/2009 09:20:35

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
41. Zimbabwe (commonly associated with Mugabe) is the big fish - the one that got away! Had the British when ruling this (their last colony in Africa) discovered there was diamonds, platinum, uranium, gold and "gas for Africa beneath Wankie", Zimbabwe would never have seen the written word "Independence" on any agenda at Lancaster House. Along with the Congo, this is a very rich country and fortunately for its people this wealth was kept under wraps by Mother Earth herself and God in his wisom until they got their Independence from Britain. Sadly they do not have the expertise to mine and export the gas. The Liberation Front of Mozambique, better known as FRELIMO, from the Portuguese Frente de Liberta??o de Mo?ambique (IPA: /f%u027Ee%u02C8limo/) is a political party which achieved Independence for Mozambique in 1975. FRELIMO has ruled Mozambique from then until the present (2009), first as a single party, and later as the majority party in a multi-party parliament. (Wikipedia). It has vast ocean and seaports to trade on whereas Zimbabwe is landlocked and under economical sanctions imposed by none other than its former colonial masters. No mention is made of the poverty Mozambique, yet FRLELIMO has ruled longer than ZANUPF. Aiden Hartley and other journos are paid big bucks for "digging up the dirt on Mugabe". In Africa, where a man's earns ?$10/month it is common courtesy that if someone is paying you, you will tell them exactly what they want to hear. Not necessarily the truth mind you. When Kwame Nkruma was in power he was despised because he advocated Pan Africanism. Mugabe is no different. If I was a black Zimbabwean and the only way I could get into Britain was as an asylum seeker or a refugee, I too would fabricate lies about my President. The MDC have been equally violent towards their fellow countrymen. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is what the missionaries taught Africans, from Cape to Cairo. Are you aware of the violence in South Africa now? Look at Angola, where Incidentally, more have died of cholera in Angola than in Zimbabwe. Why are you airing such a controversial program when Zimbabweans are on their knees this week? On Friday President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai called for an end to political attacks, and a weekend of prayer for national reconciliation. As the Editor of Talk Zimbabwe, Philip Murombedzi says, "The recent statement made by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in which he said he would have toppled President Mugabe if he was in power should be read in the right context. It was a feeble attempt at discrediting the authority of Mr Gordon Brown whose government has now made diplomatic overtures to Zimbabwe - something he failed to do during his tenure. Mr Blair had 10 years to topple President Mugabe. Why is he trying to pass on that responsibility to Mr Brown? It is easier to speak from the touchline; but if anyone should understand the bilateral dispute between Zimbabwe and Britain better, it is Mr Blair. Afterall, it was his government that reneged on the Lancaster House agreement that was signed by Britain and Zimbabwe in 1980. It was Ms Claire Short, his Secretary for International Development who wrote a letter to then Agriculture and Land Minister, Kumbirai Kangai on 5 November 1997 saying "we do not accept that Britain has a special responsibility to meet the costs of land purchase in Zimbabwe. We are a new Government from diverse backgrounds without links to former colonial interests. My own origins are Irish and as you know we were colonised not colonisers." I personally lay the blame for the rift between Britain and Zimbabwe squarely at the feet of Tony Blair. He alone is responsible for the blood shed of farmers in Zimbabwe having pulled the carpet out from under the Lancaster House Agreement just as he is responsible for the blood shed in Iraq.

    Posted by Donette Read Kruger on 25/07/2009 17:18:32

    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment