Is Dr. Simba Makoni, Zimbabwe's former finance minister, a genuine contender for the presidential election in Zimbabwe or simply part of a political ploy to keep President Robert Mugabe in power? Is the electoral process in Zimbabwe ready for a free and fair elections? These are some of the hot issues and questions in the Zimbabwean blogosphere. Zimbabwe presidential, parliamentary and local government elections will take place on March 29 2008.

Global Voices Online » Zimbabwe: Is Dr. Simba Makoni a puppet?

By Staff Reporter
Last updated: 06/22/2007 02:23:20
ZANU PF's internecine fighting reached a new low on Thursday after Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu labelled the country's ex-finance minister and rumoured presidential hopeful Simba Makoni a "sellout", and likened him to the Rhodesian Selous Scouts.
Ndlovu calls Makoni a 'sellout'

Zimbabwean independent presidential candidate Simba Makoni took off the gloves on Saturday in his upstart challenge to incumbent Robert Mugabe, calling the 84-year-old leader a "liar" for saying Makoni if elected would reverse the land reform program that Mugabe launched in 2000 and return farms to their former white owners.

Makoni was addressing about 5,000 supporters gathered at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru, the capital of Midlands Province and an important industrial center.

It was the first hard rhetorical punch Makoni, 57, has taken at President Mugabe since announcing his candidacy early last month, following which he was expelled from the ruling ZANU-PF party. Mr. Mugabe later called Makoni a political "prostitute."

Correspondent Taurai Shava of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe reported.
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The TimesMarch 15, 2008

Winds of change gather pace as President Robert Mugabe's hungry masses dare to voice their anger
Open defiance led by opposition candidate Simba Makoni holds the promise of an end to years of suffering for Zimbabwe's rural poor
Winds of change gather pace as President Robert Mugabe's hungry masses dare to voice their anger - Times Online

A Warning On Simba Makoni's History of Failures


Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)


COLUMN
17 February 2008
Posted to the web 18 February 2008

By Benjamin Chitate


The entry of Simba Makoni into the Presidential race has created a lot of excitement among desperate Zimbabwean intellectuals.

I can't blame them; they are desperate. Mutumwa Mawere, Trevor Ncube, Alex Magaisa based in the UK, among many intellectuals, are ululating, trying to influence Zimbabweans to vote for someone who has been tried, but has never produced any convincing results.


The crisis in Zanu PF now is about (President Robert) Mugabe's overstay in power, not about any ideological differences.

Like Mugabe, Makoni has also over-stayed his usefulness. Makoni was a minister in Mugabe's government in 1980, 28 years ago. His stay was cut short after he was appointed executive secretary for SADC. What did Makoni achieve at SADC? Did he leave a happy man?
allAfrica.com: Zimbabwe: A Warning On Simba Makoni's History of Failures (Page 1 of 1)

Simba Makoni: A glimpse of hope
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I am excited about the hope that springs out of Dr Simba Makoni’s bold and brave decision to stand up and be counted. This is by far the best prospect for change that Zimbabweans have been presented with in a very long time. It would be catastrophic if we let this opportunity slip again.

Until Makoni’s decision on Tuesday I had made up my mind that for the first time since 1980 I was not going to vote in the forthcoming elections. The choice between the MDC and Zanu-PF under the current circumstances is no choice at all. This was indeed Hobson’s choice. Now things have changed and I will be voting, for I suddenly have a real choice.
Thought Leader Trevor Ncube Simba Makoni: A glimpse of hope