Mugabe is ruining his country

LETTER - Robert Mugabe has lost control of the Zimbabwean parliament for the first time since the country got independence from Britain.

But the real power in the country is the office of president and Robert Mugabe holds that office.

Time is running out for Mugabe as the residents of his former strongholds in the rural districts like Matabeleland are turning against him.

In preparation of a presidential election rerun the war veterans and youth militia have been violently terrorising their fellow citizens. The brutality has widened to include election observers, opposition party polling agents and passers-by.

One opposition party youth volunteer was strapped to a truck and dragged before being left at the side of the road.

The victim heard one militiaman say: "This is war, we will keep fighting until we win." The situation in the country will only get worse.

I urge the people to take action and blockade South Africa because of its support for Mugabe.

Oliver Healey, Telford