The victims of the killing squads

How Mugabe's hard men are attempting to eliminate the opposition activists

Many totally innocent and non-political Zimbabweans have fallen victim to the Zanu-PF terror gangs who roam both town and countryside today. But behind the picture of random persecution and death it is possible to isolate many deliberate and targeted attacks. Here are two of them.

Tichanzii Gandanga was the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party's election agent for Harare province, and indeed, with no thanks to Robert Mugabe, he still is. But he can barely stand today, let alone walk. Last Wednesday, at about 6.0 pm, four men arrived suddenly at his central Harare office.

"They told me I knew my crimes, and had to confess," Gandanga told me, from his bed in a private hospital, which I've been asked not to name.

The charge is high treason!

The machiavellian plan that lies behind today's raids

Harare, Zimbabwe, April 25, 16.30

Sources high in the Zanu-PF police and security forces confirmed for me today that behind today's widely-reported raids on the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and other offices lies a plot to arraign leading opposition figures on trumped-up charges of high treason.

Targeted for arrest and subsequent accusation are the MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti, the party spokesman Nelson Chamisa, and the executive director of the independent Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) Rindai Chipfunde-Vava.

My sources tell me that the effect will be to ensure that, even if the courts eventually throw out the charges, the MDC and the ZESN will be effectively paralysed. And with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Botswana and fearing for his life, Zanu-PF will be free to continue their campaign of intimidation and terror.

Fortunately all three of the targeted indivuduals - Chamisa, Biti and Chipfunde-Vava - were tipped off about the raids and have gone into hiding. The arrests that were made mainly involved victims of militia violence, who were at the MDC offices to seek sanctuary.

"Someone hacked at my legs with a machete"

How one man escaped death at the hands of a Zanu-PF terror squad

It was midnight last Tuesday, and 55-year-old Manyika Kashiri was asleep in the Chigumbu village home in Uzumba that he shares with his wife and four grandchildren. Without warning 50 War Veterans and Zanu-PF youth militia came calling.

They threw stones through his windows and pounded on his door. They shouted curses, demanding to know why he had voted against Mugabe in the election. And it was true, Manyika had indeed, like millions of his fellow-Zimbabweans, voted for Morgan Tsvangirai and the oppositon MDC.

For a few frightening moments Manyika hesitated. But he knew he had to go out and face the mob, to protect his wife and grandchildren. He stepped through the door.

"At once I was hit in the face with a piece of wood. Then somone hacked at my legs with a machete, and I fell. At once they started beating me all over my body, cutting at me with their weapons.

A small sign of big things to come?

The words of a government mouthpiece may betray a change of thinking at the top

An article in today's (April 23) Herald, the state-run newspaper normally considered to be the direct voice of the Zimbabwe government, appears to concede that Zanu-PF cannot claim victory in the current elections, and calls instead for a "transitional government of national unity."

It criticises leaders of Zanu-PF, and seems to suggest that for the first time the government must accept the prospect of sharing power with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

The author of the article is Dr. Obediah Mukura Mazombwe, and much of his piece rehearses the familiar arguments that blame all Zimbabwe's ills on the West, particularly what he calls the "Anglo-American establishment."

But he goes on to say this: "Indeed the Zimbabwean situation is 'dire', but not all is lost. Zimbabwe and Africa and the progressive international community can turn it around."

Now they are recounting the recounts

The real reason why it's all taking so long

It has been difficult to believe that the Zimbabwe elections, both parliamentary and presidential, could be more farcical, more convoluted, and more shameful. But they could, and they are. And my reliable source within the Zimbabe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is watching it happen.

This is what he reports: the recounts of both votes, which are unjustified and quite possibly illegal, began on Saturday - and by halfway through the afternoon it became quite clear to the Zanu-PF officials in attendance that those doing the counting had mis-counted yet again.

There were the piles of votes. The recounts of 16 parliamentary constituencies had been completed. Each had originally been won by the MDC. Each, in the recount, had also been won by the MDC - in some cases, by an even greater majority than before.

The Presidential election recount was also proceeding on schedule. The original count gave MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai a clear and conclusive lead over President Robert Mugabe of Zanu-PF. And the recount? Yes, it was showing very much the same result.

Is the UN finally getting involved?

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon promises talks at UN summit

Hopes for more international pressure on Mugabe and his government grew this weekend with a statement by Mr. Ban, Secretary General of the UN, to the effect that he will hold talks with a number of African rulers on Zimbabwe during a forthcoming UN summit in Ghana. He said the aim would be to "get developments there back to normal."

He was speaking only hours after his predecessor, Kofi Annan, urged African leaders to do more to address the crisis in our country. "Where are the Africans?" he asked. "Where are their leaders and the countries in the region, what are they doing?"

Meanwhile most observers are still wondering what Mugabe's government is doing, apart of course from conducting the farcical and hopelessly flawed partial "recount" of certain constituency polls.

I can reveal one of their other schemes which, if successful, will sideline the MDC's Morgan Tsvangirai, render his presidential election victory null and void, and allow Mugabe to be voted back as president against an acceptable degree of opposition.

'Down with the British!'

Mugabe's message on Indepence Day

"Down with the British. Down with thieves who want to steal our country" - that was President Robert Mugabe's messasge to 15,000 Zimbabweans who gathered at a rally in Gwanzura Stadium, in the Highfield suburb of Harare, to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the end of white minority rule.

He called on Zimbabweans to be vigilant in the face of "vicious British machinations", and said the government was attempting to deal with Zimbabwe'sw economic problems, including hyper-inflation, high unemployment, and the shortage of food.

Opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, speaking in Johannesburg, said that this anniversary was "the saddest independence day since our liberation from colonial rule."

In Durban the controversial Chinese freighter, bearing a cargo of arms and ammunition for the Zanu-PF government, remains unloaded. The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union refused to undertake the work, saying that it did "not agree with the position of the government not to intervene."

What are Chinese troops doing on Zimbabwe's streets?

Armed and uniformed Chinese force reported to be on patrol

Mystery surrounds alleged sightings of a troop of 20 armed Chinese soldiers, said to be patrolling the streets of Mutare, the eastern border town, shoulder-to-shoulder with Zimbabwean security forces this week.

The Chinese, witnesses say, patrol in full uniform, and carry pistols, and their sudden appearance has terrified some local residents. The unit formed part of a heavy security deployment in the city centre, used to crush the MDC's nationwide strike designed to force the release of the election results.

The Chinese Embassy in Harare has denied any knowledge of Chinese troops in the area, and has suggested that they might be a privately-hired force, there to protect the interests of local Chinese-owned companies.

The Chinese unit is believed to be accommodated in the Holiday Inn in the centre of Mutare. Their behaviour in the hotel has caused comment amongst the hotel employees.

South Africa falls in line

Latest statement from the ANC government urges release of results

Supporters of Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the opposition MDC, were surprised and delighted today when South Africa joined the international pressure on Zimbabwe and urged the immediate release of the results of last month's presidential elections.

The statement, demanding that the results be released "as soon as possible" clearly indicates the widening gulf on the issue of Zimbabwe between the South African government and its outgoing president, Thabo Mbeki.

Mbeki's likely successor, Jacob Zuma, has had recent talks with Tsvangiria, and is thought to be more sympathetic to his cause.

Violence on campus

Zimbabwe students make themselves heard - with songs and stones

While British PM Gordon Brown was in New York accusing Mugabe of trying to steal the election, anti-Mugabe violence broke out here yesterday for the first time since the vote. Students at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo rioted in protest over the delayed results.

With more than two weeks gone, and still no announcement, the students began their protest by gathering outside the university buildings and singing songs denouncing the Zanu-PF regime. Then they began to stone the buildings.

University spokesman Busani Bufana, while confirming that there were disturbances on campus, refused to say how much damage was done. But it is known that the college food shop had its windows and doors broken, and its stock looted.

Tsvangirai says 'Yes - but...'

Why the MDC leader has changed his mind

A spokesman for Morgan Tsvangirai and his party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said last night that the opposition leader will take part in a run-off presidential election - but only if certain specific conditions are met.

These conditions, said George Sibotshiwe, are first, a secure and peaceful environment in Zimbabwe, and second, rigorous international monitoring of the voting itself, and of the subsequent count.

He repeated the MDC view that current conditions made a free and fair vote impossible, and he called for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the association of heads of state in the region, to oversee every stage of any new count.

The MDC believe that Tsvangirai won the election last month outright. The results have still not been made public, despite a call yesterday by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for the "very transparent and expeditious release of election results."

Meanwhile British premier Gordon Brown is expected to raise the subject of Zimbabwe on his current visit to the US. And in South Africa the ruling African National Congress made a surprisingly strong comment, describing the situation in the country as "dire".

Reports of the General Strike, which began yesterday and is intended to last until the results of the presidential election are announced, were varied and confused.

Now the MDC turns to the Supreme Court

A new move by the opposition as the battle for the results goes on

Lawyers for Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change were considering appealing to the Zimbabwe Supreme Court today, Monday, after the High Court dismissed the party's application to force the Electoral Commission to release the result of the presidential election.

Issuing what is a body blow to MDC hopes, High Court judge Tendai Uchena said: "This court is...not entitled to intervene and order respondents (ZEC) to announce the results on the basis of failure to comply with the law."

MDC lawyer Andrew Makoni said: "The court has given the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission a blank cheque. We don't know when they will be ready to release the results, or what length of delay would be reasonable in the eyes of the court."

Extra pressure on the ZEC is also being planned for tomorrow, when Tsvangirai has called for a general strike, to end only when the results are known.

New ballot decision "meaningless"

Why the MDC has already rejected proposed recounts of the parliamentary vote

A total of 23 constituency recounts of Zimbabwe's parliamentary elections, in which President Mugabe and Zanu-PF lost out to Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has been announced by the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission, and will take place next Saturday. But the MDC has already made it clear that it will not accept any change in the results.

"For us, that is accepting rigged results," said MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa. And, echoing the scenario outlined on this site at the end of last week, he went on: "They had custody of the ballot boxes for two weeks, and they must have stuffed them with their votes."

For similar reasons many observers are now discounting in advance the results of the presidential elections, which today, Sunday, are still not available, after more than two weeks.

The emergency meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Lusaka on Saturday issued a joint declaration which called for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to verify and publish the election results "speedily", and for all parties to accept those results.

MDC General-Secretary Tendai Biti reacted positively to this declaration, saying this was a major improvement, and he was satisfied with the result of the meeting. But others said that Mugabe would take no notice of a meeting which he did not even bother to attend.

Meanwhile the MDC have announced a general strike throughout Zimbabwe, beginning on Tuesday, and designed to force the publication of the presidential vote.

MDC says No to run-off poll

The opposition dismisses any prospectof a run-off poll - but Tsvangirai will go to Lusaka

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change has re-stated its belief that it has gained overall victory in the Presidential election, and will not therefore take part in any run-off vote.

MDC Secretary General, Tendai Biti, speaking in South Africa, said the party had done even better than originally thought. He described Robert Mugabe as a "caretaker president", and added: "So we are therefore concerned that an illegitimate government in now in place in Zimbabwe."

Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, who was in Botswana yesterday as part of his campaign to win support from neighbouring nations, has said he will attend the emergency meeting of the 14-member SADC group in Lusaka, Zambia, tomorrow. Mugabe is also expected to attend.

Meanwhile in Zimbabwe itself two sinister developments have occurred, which observers believe are part of the ruling Zanu-PF party's campaign to remain in power.

Is SADC about to speak at last?

Why Mugabe's neighbours may finally turn on their troublesome friend

The deafening silence emanating from the other nearby nations while the farce of the Zimbabwe election has developed may be about to break, with a meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, this Saturday of the members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Zambia.

The call for the meeting came from the unlikely figure of the President of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa. Mwanawasa is the current president of SADC, and shares a long border with Mugabe, including the spectacular Victoria Falls,

Traditionally, SADC members have supported Mugabe, often giving him standing ovations when he turns up at meetings. But many are now believed to have realised that his conduct reflects badly on them, on the international stage.

Others, including South Africa in particular, feel they cannnot continue to cope with the ever-increasing flood of refugees spilling over the border to escape the poverty and persecution that is a fact of ordinary life in Zimbabwe.

Up to now Mwanawasa, a large and ungainly figure who lacks charisma but has nevertheless led his country for nearly two presidential terms with relative success, is virtually the only SADC head of state to criticise Mugabe, when last year he described Zimbabwe as a "sinking Titanic".

Will more presidents take this opportunity on Saturday finally to utter some criticism of the Zimbabwe situation? That may entirely depend on one factor, and it is this:

Mugabe unleashes his dogs

Violence and fear mark the new Zanu-PF campaign of retribution

While the world waits for the results of Zimbabwe's presidential election, the people of Zimbabwe don't have to wait for Mugabe's revenge. The defeated President and his defeated party have launched an orgy of violence against known activists and supporters of the successful MDC.

The party youth militia, the so-called war veterans, the secret service agents, all the paramilitary might that Robert Mugabe can call on has been going into action in specifically targeted areas. For the record, here's a loose compilation of the reports coming to me.

People in the rural Matabeleland district are, of course, suffering more than most. I have had reports of intimidation from Plumtree, Binga, Nyamandlovu, Hwange, Insza and Lupane - all areas where it is thought MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai triumphed in the recent polls.

"The war veterans descended upon us yesterday," said Ndabambi Ndlovu, who fled his home in fear of his life. "They demanded that we leave the area, or be killed. They said we had sold out by supporting the opposition, and that we would not be allowed to vote in the re-run."

In Lupane, 600 kilometres south west of Harare, more than a thousand villagers are said to have been assaulted by soldiers using rifle butts. Among the casualties were two Zimbabwe Electoral Commission officials. They showed the soldiers their ZEC cards - and were immediately beaten more severely.

The militia are also targeting known supporters of Simba Makoni's bid for the presidency. I'm told that one of his campaign team leaders, Stanley Wolfenden, was raided at his farm in Nyamandlovu, and only barely escaped. He is now in Bulawayo.

Why Morgan went south

The intriguing reason why the leader of the MDC flew to South Africa for the day

On the surface it didn't seem a very sensible idea. With the election process in deep crisis, and violence spreading, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the so-far victorious Movement for Democratic Change, left the country. He got on a plane for South Africa and only returned last night (Monday). But my source in the MDC leadership says he had good reason for going.

It was not to meet President Mbeki, who still prevaricates over the issue of Mugabe, and who in any case was in India. Instead Tsvangirai met with Jacob Zuma, leader of South Africa's ANC and the front runner for the Presidency of the Republic next year.

Tsvangirai knew that he would receive a warm and sympathetic welcome from the controversial Zuma. He hoped that the South African would lend his support to the demand to publish the election results, and would be equally supportive in the drive to rid Zimbabwe of Mugabe. And for some very interesting reasons...

White farmers flee for their lives

While the government warns of a white invasion, exactly the opposite is taking place

Zimbabwe's few remaining white farmers are either barricaded in their homes, waiting in a state of fear, or running for safety today. In scenes reminiscent of eight years ago, chanting gangs of so-called war veterans, encouraged by Zanu-PF propaganda, are threatening both their property and their lives.

The new wave of invasions began on Saturday, in Masvingo province, 160 kilometres south of Harare, when five farms came under attack, and a game lodge was occupied. It started shortly after Mugabe himself issued a warning that land must not be allowed to "slip back into the hands of whites."

Today it is thought that at least 20 farms have come under attack, leaving less than 200 in white hands. This compares to a total of 4,000 when the original attacks began at the turn of the century.

Meanwhile, as the country waits for a High Court ruling on the publication of the presidential election results, expected some time today, police have arrested polling officials from three different areas. They are accused of falsifying voting totals, to the detriment of Zanu-PF. The MDC have dismissed the allegations as yet another means of buying time.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, currently in South Africa, maintains that his victory in the parliamentary elections was clear and fair - and as a result, he has been making plans for the restoration of stability in the country when the MDC take over. And these plans do indeed include some white faces.

Yet another delay in court

Once again the judge dithers - but is Mugabe under pressure from a new direction?

Harare, Zimbabwe, Monday, April 7, 1.0 pm

High Court judge Tednai Uchena, who yesterday heard the application by Zimbabwe's opposition MDC for the immediate release  of the presidential election results, and who postponed his decision until today, has announced another delay. This morning he postponed his ruling until tomorrow.

MDC lawyer Alec Muchadehama commented: "I think the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) just wants to delay the whole thing for as long as possible." But George Chikumbirike, the lawyer for the ZEC, who had argued that the court has no jurisdiction over his agency, insisted that the law should "take its full course."

Meanwhile Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the MDC and projected as winner of the presidential vote, left Zimbabwe this morning on a trip to South Africa. This is the first time he has left the country since the election.

His spokesman, Nelson Chamisa, said Tsvangirai hoped to meet with the South African president Thabo Mbeki, a man often criticised for being too lenient with Mugabe. It is thought that there may also be a meeting with incoming SA president Jacob Zuma.

Meanwhile sources tell me that Robert Mugabe has come under pressure to resign from a new and unexpected quarter.

The crisis deepens

Nine days on, and the mood of despair grows ever stronger

The growing sense of frustration and fear that has overshadowed this election was almost tangible this morning, as Zimbabweans woke to wonder what new ways the Zanu-PF government will find to defeat the will of the people.

Today Judge Tendai Uchena is expect to at last rule on the MDC's petition in the high court for the crucial presidential election results to be released immediately. He finally found time for a hearing yesterday, and this time the opposition MDC lawyers escaped the attentions of the police.

The hearing lasted four hours, during which the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the agency supposedly independent but actually in the Mugabe pocket, argued that the court did not have jurisdiction over its activities. Or lack of same.

And observers here fear that the judge's decision may also be influenced, if not directly dictated, by Zanu-PF, who are demanding, with their customary impeccable lack of logic, that the presidential vote be re-counted even before the result is known.

This demand remains one of a battery of moves mounted in the last few days by Mugabe and his men, all clearly designed to intimidate, frustrate, and batter Morgan Tsvangirai and his party into defeat and submission, while giving the legal electoral process a good kicking at the same time.

Mugabe wants a recount

Yet another twist in the saga of the presidential election results

President Robert Mugabe and his ruling Zanu-PF party have asked for a recount of the voting in the election for president. Today's edition of the state-run Sunday Mail says that another count is necessary because of "errors and miscalculations" in the first.

The result of the poll is still not known officially, although lawyers for Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC will return to the high court this morning in another attempt to force the publication of the figures.

Observers in Harare are pointing out that if Mugabe wants a recount, this must mean two things:  one, that he is aware of the count as it stands at present, and two, that he's lost.

The MDC have consistently claimed that Tsvangirai has won the vote with a slightly more than 50 per cent share, giving him the presidency outright. Other polls and estimates give him a victory, but at under the crucial 50 per cent mark.

Last night Tsvangirai accused Mugabe of plotting a "war on the people", by mobilising his militant forces. He said the central bank was financing the police, troops and paramilitaries, such as the so-called War Veterans, by simply printing money.

The state run radio is continuing to say that white farmers are threatening to return to claim land in Zimbabwe. Yesterday it said there was a plan for every farm in Masvingo Province to be occupied by whites.

MDC lawyers assaulted by police

Zimbabwe opposition attempts to take their case to the high court results in violence and chaos

Harare, Zimbabwe, Saturday April 5, 1.0 pm

All pretence that civilised legal authority exists in today's Zimbabwe was blown away this morning when lawyers representing the opposition Movement for Democratic Change were assaulted on the steps of the High Court and driven violently away by heavily armed police.

The MDC, in a desperate effort to move the electoral process forward, intended to seek an injunction from the High Court to force the Zimbabwe Electoral Commisssion (ZEC) to release the presidential election results.

Chief MDC lawyer Alec Muchadehama and his associates arrived at the courts, only to find the way barred by police details. As they attempted to enter, the police attacked them with batons, clenched fists, and boots. The lawyers were forced to run for their lives. Some sustained minor injuries in the fracas.

MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told reporters: "This is what we have always been saying. Mugabe does not respect the constitution. We were prevented from being granted a fair hearing."

Once again he appealed on behalf of the MDC for the international community, in particular the United Nations, to intervene in the crisis, before the state-sponsored violence and bloodshed spreads further.

Meanwhile, as I reported earlier today, the plan for so-called "recounts" of the parliamentary votes in certain constituencies is going ahead, and the number of constituencies to have their votes so recounted has now risen to 16.

Mugabe's sinister plan to steal the election is, as we have always feared, moving inexorably onwards.

Fear and despair in Zimbabwe today

While the MDC appeal for help, Zanu-PF gear up for victory

Harare, Zimbabwe, Saturday, April 5, 10 am

The decisions taken during the long Zanu-PF politburo meeting yesterday are becoming clearer by the hour, and they plainly indicate the means by which Mugabe plans, even at this late hour, to snatch back power and smash the opposition once and for all. To back up the expected run-off vote for president, an orchestrated programme of threats, promises, accusations, rigging of results, and blatant violence is on the cards.

The opposition party, Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC, are making appeals in two courts this morning. One is the Zimbabwe High Court, where they are asking for an order that will force the publication of the presidential election results within four hours.

The other can be called the court of world opinion, as Tsvangirai appeals for the intervention of the United Nations, asking the organisation to step in with force before Mugabe can let slip his dogs of violence, intimidation and murder. It is an appeal that will be answered only with well-intentioned words.

Zanu-PF's plans are far more basic, practical and easily set in motion. Here's a quick run-down of their weapons:

Street violence  The so-called Freedom Fighters are already marching through the streets of Harare, led by the ludicrous figure of Jabulani Sibanda who is voicing his usual array of threats. Watching them are the massed ranks of the riot squads and the paramilitaries, and in the event of any confrontation we know which side they will be on.

MDC take the legal road

Can an emergency move in the High Court force Mugabe's hand?

Harare, Zimbabwe, Friday, April 4, 3.30 pm

After another morning with no sign of the Presidential election results, Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC has gone to court in an attempt to force the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to release the figures.

An emergency application has been lodged at the High Court for immediate publication of the results, although technically the ZEC has until midnight tonight to do so. At the same time the EC has added its voice to internation pressure, urging the Zimbabwe authorities to act as swiftly as possible.

One threat to the MDC has been removed today. It concerns Simba Makoni, the rebel Zanu-PF ex-minister standing as the third candidate in the election. There is, I'm informed, absolutely no prospect of him making things up with his old boss, Mugabe.

Makoni's spokesman, Ibbo Mandaze, confirmed to me today that despite attempts earlier this week to lure the candidate back into the Zanu-PF fold, Makoni will definitely back Tsvangirai in any runoff vote. "We have made our position clear, that we will come together as the opposition and fight against Mugabe." he said. And there was more good news for Tsvangirai's MDC.

Day of Days

Why this seventh day of the election will prove to be the most significant

Harare, Zimbabwe, Friday April 4, 8.0 am

Raids on the opposition headquarters, foreign journalists arrested, hundreds more riot police and paramilitaries on the streets of the city - all indications that today will prove to be a pivotal day for both this election and the whole future of Zimbabwe.

Two foreign journalists are understood to have been taken away by the authorities, including one from the New York Times. The rooms at the Melkies hotel used by the MDC were ransacked by police. The increased activity was generally seen as the start of a state crackdown as the prospect of a runoff vote for the Presidency increases by the hour.

Today the results of the Presidential election are due to be released at last. Neither of the two main candidates, Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC, are expected to gain the necessary over-50 per cent vote to win outright. Zanu-PF are promising that Mugabe will contest a runoff. Other rumours say that, having lost the parliamentary elections, he will accept final defeat and go.

Mugabe will chair a meeting of his party's politburo this morning.  when the final decision about a runoff will be taken.

This intense activity in public is mirrored by equally frantic endeavours behind closed doors, in particular behind the doors of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, where notorious governor Gideon Gono, the man many hold as responsible for the country's financial melt-down, seems to be in a state of panic.

Mugabe breaks cover

For the first time since he cast his vote on Saturday, our president is in full view again

President Mugabe was seen live on national television in Zimbabwe this afternoon, Thursday, once and for all scotching persistent rumours, fuelled by his non-appearance, that he had fled the country to hide in Malaysia.

He was shown greeting members of a delegation from the African Union. He appeared calm and relaxed, very much his usual well-suited self, as he chatted to the delegates.

The result of the Presidential election is still not available, but final figures are now expected to be announced tomorrow. Observers believe that neither Mugabe nor Tsvangirai, the leader of the MDC, will achieve the magic over-50 per cent vote, and this will mean a runoff if both decide to stay in the race.

Also tomorrow the Government's politburo is meeting. Mugabe and all his top security chiefs, intelligence officers, political aides and power men will presumably discuss what they do next. It is then that Mugabe will make the decision whether to continue to fight, or to retire.

The Inside Story

While the election seems stalled in the endless wait for results, furious activity is raging behind the scenes

Harare, Zimbabwe, Thursday, April 3, 1.0 pm

While the country waits the politicians talk. Throughout the capital meetings and discussions are taking place at this moment, and the various outcomes could well shape life in this country for the foreseeable future.

The distinguished former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano flew into Harare last night on a mission to broker talks between President Mugabe and victorious MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Chissano, recently a member of the team that mediated in Keny'a post-election conflict earlier this year, was rushed straight to Mugabe at State House, where it is thought he urged the beleaguered President to resign.

My source at the Mozambique embassy told me: "He has come to show Mugabe the light. They are long time friends, and he says he doesn't want to see Zimbabwe degenerate into anarchy."

Chissano, who was Mugabe's best man at his wedding to his second wife, Grace, is scheduled to meet Tsvangirai this morning.

Meanwhile talks of a much more furtive nature have been going on between Mugabe and his rebel former Minister of Finance, Simba Makoni, who is now being seen by some observers as a 'Trojan horse' in this election.

The Zanu-PF proposition to Makoni, who is believed to have about eight per cent of the presidential vote, is that he should 'donate' these votes to Mugabe. Added to Mugabe's total of about 43 per cent, they would give the President over 50 per cent, which would mean he would be declared the overall winner.

What the paper says

How Mugabe's mouthpiece is meeting defeat with optimism

Harare, Zimbabwe, Thursday, April 3  9 am

While the rest of the world's media agrees this morning that Robert Mugabe's grip on power is weakening by the moment, the Zanu-PF mouthpiece in Zimbabwe, the government-run Herald newspaper, continues to hope for a run-off vote for the presidency.

At the same time, the ex-Minister who once dictated editorial policy to the newspaper was last night one of the first major Zanu-PF figures to call on Mugabe to retire gracefully.

The newspaper's lead story this morning accurately reported the final voting figures which have ensured an MDC majority in the new Zimbabwe parliament. The figures show the combined MDC factions gaining 109 seats, with Zanu-PF back on 97.

But the paper, always a reliable guide to Mugabe government thinking, makes two more points. It claims that in the parliamentary elections Zanu-PF won the lead in the overall popular vote. And it says that if voting patterns are repeated in the presidential election, it is "difficult to see" how any candidate can attain more than 50 per cent of the vote. And that will mean a run-off.

This estimate conflicts with the MDC's own prediction, that Morgan Tsvangirai will win 50.3 per cent of the presidential vote, thus avoiding any need for a run-off.

MDC Victory - it's official

Latest figures in the parliamentary election mean Zanu-PF have lost their majority. But what now?

Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, so long in absolute power in Zimbabwe, has lost control of parliament, according to figures released by the official Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Latest figures are: Zanu-PF 93 seats, MDC (Tsvangirai) 96 seats, MDC (Mutambara)  9 seats, and one independent. With only eight more seats to be declared, and several of them expected to go to the MDC, Zanu-PF has no chance of overtaking the combined MDC totals.

The MDC immediately called for Robert Mugabe to concede defeat "to avoid embarrassment" but observers think they won't get rid of the old man that easily.

MDC: We've won!

Zimbabwe's opposition claims victory, and hails Morgan Tsvangirai as the next President

Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change took a decisive step here in Harare a few minutes ago, declaring that it had won both the parliamentary and the Presidential election outright.

The party spokesman Tendai Biti told reporters that the MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had won 50.3 per cent of the Presidential vote, a total which would mean a runoff would not be necessary. "Morgan Tsvangirai will be the next President of Zimbabwe," he announced. Robert Mugabe's vote was put at 43 per cent.

In the parliamentary elections the MDC say Zanu-PF have won 100 seats, while the MDC total, including those won by its minority faction, is 111.

The announcement is seen as a direct challenge to Mugabe and his government, and an attempt to force the hand of the ZEC into releasing their own figures immediately.

Zanu-PF's deputy information minister, Bright Matonga, described the MDC announcement as "mischievous" and their figures as "wishful thinking." "They are being directed by Britain and the USA to do this," he claimed.

A report in the government-controlled Herald newspaper this morning, indicating that the presidential vote was much closer, and that a runoff would be required, is seen as a first sign that the government is taking a realistic and even pessimistic look at its position.

One of the four assistant editors of the Herald told me: "We were instructed to carry that story at 10 pm. last night."

Death of a young man

A tragic incident on election day - and a top politician is arrested

The shooting that occurred in Bindura, a small town in Mashonaland East, on Saturday, which I reported in an earlier posting, has had tragic consequences. The young victim, who was acting as an MDC presiding officer at a polling station, has died of his wound.

I do not know his name. I do know the name of the man alleged to have shot him, who is now under arrest at Harare Central Police Station. He is Elliot Manyika, a former Mugabe minister who is currently Zanu-PF's National Commissar.

Details of the incident are still vague, but I understand that there was a dispute between Manyika and a group of MDC supporters, who mocked him for losing his parliamentary seat at Bindura. It is alleged that an enraged and disappointed Manyika then shot the victim, and drove away.

A police source in the town told me that there was a delay in taking the victim to hospital, because of fears of rioting Zanu-PF youths. A local district hospital could do nothing for him, and he died from loss of blood while being rushed to Harare.

The irony of this tragic story is that Manyika had not lost his seat, as he and the MDC supporters believed. He has officially been named the winner. He is now the newly elected Member of Parliament for Bindura.

Unless, or until, he is convicted of murder.

No deal!

Despite world-wide speculation, opposition leader Tsvangirai denies holding talks with Mugabe

Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, April 2, 8.0 am

While headlines across the world forecast this morning that Mugabe is about to step down, having done a deal with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, the MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is pouring cold water on the whole idea.

At his first appearance in public since casting his vote on Saturday, Tsvangirai told reporters: "There is no deal between the opposition and Mugabe. There are no negotiations whatsoever."

As we enter the fourth day of this election, there are 35 parliamentary results still to be officially announced. This morning the two parties remain locked together in the contest, with the MDC on 90 seats and Zanu-PF on 85.

Tsvangirai urged the ZEC to announce the remaining results with due haste, but also promised that the MDC would announce its own results today, claiming they would show overall victory for himself and his party.

Interest has been switching from the official parliamentary results, which are widely mistrusted, to speculation about the race for the Presidency. The independent Zimbabwe Election Support Network continues to forecast a 49 to 42 per cent victory for Tsvangirai - a result which would mean a runoff vote between him and Mugabe.

Welcome to Rumour City!

As the world's longest election drags on, fantastic rumours continue to sweep across the country

Harare, Zimbabwe, Tuesday April 1, 6.0 pm

With results still only trickling out of the ZEC, the rumour machine has been working overtime in Zimbabwe. With scarcely any facts to go on, imaginations are running riot. Here are three of the best rumours doing the rounds this afternoon.

In America the authoritative New York Times reported that MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is in talks with President Mugabe. The subject of the talks: a peaceful transition of power from the President to Tsvangirai.

There are two sources for this story - a western diplomat and a prominent Zimbabean political analyst. They say Mugabe has taken this step because he finds the prospect of a runoff against Tsvangirai "demeaning". A spokesman for Tsvangirai said he knew nothing of such talks, and the Mugabe camp were saying nothing either.

But it is perhaps significant in the light a second rumour, which reached me this afternoon from my own source in government This said that last night Mugabe fully intended to appear on national television this morning and concede defeat.

How they are rigging the election at this very moment

Mugabe's spies are using a simple but effective technique to rob Tsvangirai of victory - and not be caught doing it

Harare, Zimbabwe, Tuesday, April 1, 5.0 pm

Sources within the fearsome Central Intelligence Agency (CIO) have told me this afternoon that the Zimbabwe security chiefs, who nearly came to blows yesterday, have reached a compromise - and instructed the CIO to finally fix this election in Mugabe's favour.

The CIO's task is to falsify the voting figures in a way that appears to give logical and expected results, and thus becomes unchallengeable. With the eyes of the world on this election, the power men know that any fraud has to be virtually undetectable.

The technique was explained to me by my source, who told me it is being put into effect at this moment. This is how it works.

It's still close as can be

As  the wheels of democracy grind agonizingly onwards, here's a quick round-up of the official results, the projections, and the rumours as they stand at this time

Harare, Zimbabwe, Tuesday, April 1  3.30 pm

With just 79 more parliamentary seats to be officially announced by the Electoral Commission, the parties are apparently still neck and neck, as follows:

Zanu-PF  64 seats

Movement for Democratic Change  67 seats.

The ZEC has still given no figures for the election of the President, which has become a two-horse race between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai. But two projections, one by the independent Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) and one by two anonymous Zanu-PF sources, are remarkably similar. They are as follows:

ZESN :  Tsvangirai  49.4 per cent    Mugabe  41.8 per cent

Zanu-PF sources:  Tsvangirai 48.3 per cent  Mugabe  43 per cent

Both sets of results would, if correct, result in a run-off vote between the two, to take place within the next three weeks.

The MDC is sticking to its own forecast for the presidential vote, as follows:

Tsvangirai  60 per cent. Mugabe 30 per cent.

See-saw results - and a big military bust-up

While independent polling puts Tsvangirai ahead, the split between the top brass become public

Harare, Zimbabwe, Tuesday, April 1. 8.0 am

Official - but mistrusted - results of the parliamentary elections have trickled out through the night from the ZEC, with the lead see-sawing between Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC. Latest figures early this morning were 56 to 53 seats in favour of the MDC, with 101 seats yet to be declared.

In the presidential election, no figures have been published which - according to the MDC - is to allow time for the government to rig the outcome. But an independent monitoring group, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, reports that Tsvangirai has won 49 per cent of the vote - just short of the 50 per cent needed to avoid a run-off - against 42 per cent for Mugabe.

What is becoming clear is that some well-known names have lost their seats, including two ministers - Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and former Public and Interactive Affairs Minister Chen Chimutengwende.

But, indicative of the confusion surrounding much of this election, Vice-President Joyce Mujuru, previously reported to have lost her seat, is now declared to have won it by a large margin.

Meanwhile details of the day-long crisis meeting yesterday of the country's top service chiefs have been passed to me, and they reveal a massive split between the top military commanders over how to handle the MDC's obvious success in the polls.