Zimbabwean President

Mugabe is a bad man. Make no mistake. But who is to say that FW de Klerk or PW Botha or any of their Cabinet ministers were saints?

The Robert Mugabe regime did not, as some will argue, start off well and slowly descend into authoritarianism. It was always intolerant of opposition.

President Thabo Mbeki has played a less than honest role in the Zimbabwe crisis. The debate rages on about what he is playing at in Zimbabwe.

In less than one lifetime, Ghana and Zimbabwe have swopped positions internationally, writes Colleen Lowe Morna.

Last month British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged British companies to stop investing in Zimbabwe, saying his government was preparing sanctions.

A transitional government in Zimbabwe should be given two years to let the dust settle before another round of elections can be held, says Angola.

Mugabe’s primary source of power becomes the power we give him. The man is bouncing around Zimbabwe with the energy of a five-year-old.

Two stories in this edition spotlight the paradox of President Thabo Mbeki’s handling of the Zimbabwean crisis in view of his role in the region.

The Mail & Guardian reveals a document penned by President Thabo Mbeki in 2001 in which he warns Robert Mugabe over his style of rule.