Arrests overshadow Zimbabwe vote

HARARE: Early results from Zimbabwe's constitutional referendum signal widespread backing for laws to curb President Robert Mugabe's powers, though the vote count has been marred by fresh political arrests.

A preliminary count of about half a million votes showed more than 90 per cent endorsed the new constitution, according to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party.

The proposed text would introduce presidential term limits, beef up parliament's powers and pave the way for a general election to decide whether 89-year-old Mr Mugabe stays in power.

We are in a global recession. There is a lot of economic uncertainties and political unrest. People are trying to take advantage of the situation. I hope this whole mess will be sorted out soon. I cannot imagine someone being the head of a country for most or entire of his/her life.

Dictator or not.... Mugabe is already 89 and I think it is time for him to retire from politics all together. Perhaps someone else can steer the country towards some economic and financial sanity.

why