Officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will announce on Friday, whether Zimbabwe is to be expelled from the international lender because of unpaid debts.

Last week criticism for President Robert Mugabe and his government mounted further when changes to the Zimbabwean constitution were passed through parliament by MPs, in effect tightening the leader's grip on the country.

Should the IMF expel Zimbabwe? Was criticism over Zimbabwe's constitution amendments justified? What would you like to know about the country?

Your questions and comments:

Do you think an armed struggle to overthrow Mugabe is an option in Zimbabwe?
Tendai, Bristol, UK

The recent amendments to Zimbabwe's constitution aims to protect Robert Mugabe and his sycophants. Clearly Mugabe's tyranny has become unbearable to most people in Zimbabwe and a shame to Africa. How is the African Union going to deal with this tyrant?
Jaward Sesay, Philadelphia, USA

Why does the UN not try Robert Mugabe for crimes against his people, there's plenty of evidence against him?
Simon, Bristol, UK

South Africa seems to be the only hope Tracey Ruck, London

South Africa seems to be the only hope; they are the only ones (apart from China) who can force the government to conform. Do you see this as a likely scenario?
Tracey Ruck, London, United Kingdom

How are the average people surviving? I have a friend who lives there and he does not see the poverty as others see it because he lives quite well. Do the well-to-do Zimbabweans have that same attitude just because they can still buy the basic necessities? If that is the case then the country will never come out of the bad situation they are in. Everyone should try to do something regardless of the social status they are in. We, the outsiders seem to care more about the poor people there than the wealthy Zimbabweans.
E MacIsaac, Edmonton, Canada

If Mr Mugabe's government were to collapse, what is the worst cases scenario? I also would like to know what it would take to make it a productive nation like Botswana.
Don, Dallas, Texas, USA

The rape and plunder of Zimbabwe by Robert Mugabe and his corrupt government is a sight no African ever thought they would see. The utter destruction of a country once so vibrant and alive, with its peaceful and prosperous population was the envy of many an African country. It's painful and brutal destruction is not only abhorrent to observe, but is in many ways also a warning knell for the rest of Africa too. It is obvious that Mugabe will never give up power willingly, despite his statements to the contrary. What are the options open to Zimbabwe now? How does it overcome the problem of Mugabe? And what can other African countries do to ensure their leaders do not betray them similarly?
ME, London

It's good to know that you've travelled to Zimbabwe, however I would like to know on what platform are you answering questions about Zimbabwe. I feel you do not have the moral authority to answer any questions about Zimbabwe. It seems to me that you went into Zimbabwe undercover thus rendering your observations about Zimbabwe to a bare minimum. You certainly would not have gathered any reliable information when you report undercover. May you comment please.
Will Majaji, Michigan, USA

We all know these are the actions of a regime in decline but ordinary Zimbabweans have nothing to do with it Njabulo, Prague

The IMF is an institution which prides itself as a champion of the poor, I would like to think otherwise - it actually preys on them. At this point in time they are debating expulsion of Zimbabwe, what on earth will that achieve except bring more misery to Zimbabweans? Is the $170 plus million owed to it worth all the hype in anyway? At a time when a poor African country is reeling from man made and natural problems, is this the time to debate on inflicting more misery?

Zimbabwe rightly deserves criticism and rebuke for those ridiculous constitution clauses and for it's wayward behaviour over recent years - we all know these are the actions of a regime in decline but ordinary Zimbabweans have nothing to do with it, there was not even a referendum this time around, so whatever reaction should be in the interests of Zimbabweans as a whole, not to destroy the whole hive just because one bee stung you.
Njabulo, Prague, Czech Rep

Not only Zimbabwe but many others states in Africa turned a backyard garden of the monarch-wise leader. What I do worry is that people in there, without any kind of protection and care the government should provide. If there were no innocent people on board, I would allow the stubborn ship to drown by herself.
Hideki Tachikawa, Osaka, Japan

Zimbabwe was once one of Africa's jewels but it's now one of Africa's obstacles Lex Mashingaidze, Berlin

The problem in Zimbabwe is all about the execution of ideas, not the ideas. The land reform was not a well thought scheme from a political and administrative point of view. Land was supposed to be given to people who were capable of farming but instead it was used as a political tool. Land is and should be a national issue, with ideas coming from all parties - Zanu-PF, MDC and the other political and civic groups.

Zimbabwe will continue to sink until those guys in parliament realise that they are making a big mistake by supporting foolish changes instead of thinking about what the man on the street really want. If Zanu-PF fails to open its eyes and allow political space for the people of Zimbabwe then I tell you if they ever lose their position no one will ever want to be associated with them. Zimbabwe was once one of Africa's jewels but it's now one of Africa's obstacles.
Lex Mashingaidze, Berlin, Germany

Are there any objective journalists out there when it comes to the Zimbabwe Question?
Mugoni, USA

Is the situation in Zimbabwe as bad as it is being portrayed? How will the expulsion of Zimbabwe from IMF help alleviate the problems the people are facing? Why is Britain so much interested in the issues patterning Zimbabwe? The last time I checked, every nation has a right to play around with its constitution. What so special about doing so?
Joel Chiutsi, Keswick, Canada

Mugabe is awful, but it would equally bad to have a leader that does not follow the wishes of his people but rather that of the outside powers Francisca, Delta State

It is clear that Mugabe is destroying Zimbabwe with these hazardous policies; however we must not disregard his core theme/message, which is to rid Zimbabwe of neo-colonialism. I would like to know if the opposition party has a plan of carrying out Mugabe's core message of anti neo-colonialism but in a more economically and socially responsible manner. Mugabe is awful, but it would equally bad to have a leader that does not follow the wishes of his people but rather that of the outside powers.
Francisca, Delta State, Nigeria

It is interesting to note that some people are still only concerned about the "fate of the remaining whites" in the country, yet all Zimbabweans are suffering the brunt of the worst African dictatorship since Idi Amin. Operation Murambatsvina evicted about 300,000 people as opposed to the 4,000 white farmers. Come on; let us not racialize this issue. We are talking of a merciless dictator here who will murder even his own people to stay in power. Mugabe and racism must both go!
Munhu, New York City, USA

How is Mugabe's personality cult developing? Are there pictures of him everywhere and women dancing with his portrait on their blouses like it was in other African countries?
Fabian, Germany

The constitutional amendments are both illegal and counterproductive. The constitution is no longer worth the paper it's written on. The IMF should expel Zimbabwe forthwith; doesn't Mugabe have a Look East Policy? Let them look east... Thereafter the UN Security Council needs to promptly establish an international tribunal to prosecute Robert Mugabe and his cronies for crimes against humanity and intervene militarily by sending a multinational force to Zimbabwe in order to avert any further violations of humanitarian law. Free and fair elections can then be held under the auspices of the UN.
Phil Matibe, Austin, Texas, USA

Mr Mugabe is now 81. What is likely to happen if he dies?
Adrian, UK

I think the IMF should expel Zimbabwe or just not extend them anymore credit. As for the constitution amendment and the people that voted for it should realise that what goes around comes around. I grew up in Zimbabwe and what a lovely, harmonious country living in peace with my white and black brothers and sisters, those were the good old days.

Let's face it and I say this as a black Zimbabwean, we do not have the know-how to run a commercial farm and feed a nation. Give the white farmers back their land and property and let them do what they do best. Bring sanity back to Zimbabwe. My one question is what exactly is going on with the farms that the government so-called took? Where is the food and cattle that flourished on these farms?
AM, Toronto, Canada

I would like to respond to AM in Toronto. Don't you think that it would be better to learn from your fellow Zimbabweans how to engage in commercial farming? Who said that it is only "whites" who are qualified to be commercial farmers? I am amazed with this kind of mentality. Even though it is hard to forget the past, in life you need to learn and move on. This could also alleviate the unemployment problems faced in Zimbabwe. I have lived in Zimbabwe and I understand these problems. It will take time but for heavens sake, "Blacks" and "Whites" need to learn from each other in order to foster effective nation building.
Pauline Agumba, New York, USA

What is the situation of the remaining whites in Zimbabwe? How many are still in the country, and what are their prospects?
John Clifton, Boston, USA

I would like to know if there is hope for the common man in Zimbabwe. Is the government doing anything to improve the living condition of the people? Is the government making any effort to improve the economy? May God help our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe as they go through this tumultuous time.
Omorodion Osula, Boston, USA