It is sick, but the fact is that Zimbabwe is a dictatorship for the time being and is likely to remain one until Mugabe dies. I think the opposition should face "defeat" with as much dignity and grace as they can at the moment. It's not fair, but even greater injustices and barbarity will be unleashed if there are massive street protests against the government. The only possible outcome of that could be a military government, which would remove any prospect of real democracy for a generation.