Zimbabweans 'itching for change'
02/04/2008 15:54  - (SA)  

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Verashni Pillay

Harare - Zimbabweans were growing increasingly optimistic on Wednesday as official poll results continued trickling in.

"The Zimabwean people are already calling it a 'New Zimbabwe' and say they will pronounce a Freedom Day," said Chris Muronzi, a Zimbabwean journalist based in the capital. "All that is left for them is to hear an official announcement but it is already imprinted on their minds that Mugabe is history."

Many Zimbabweans were hopeful that this year's elections would see an end to President Robert Mugabe's dictatorial rule since the country's independence from Britain in 1980.

Zimbabweans went to the polls on Saturday to vote in their most important election since independence. Parliamentary results have been trickling in since Sunday showing the two parties closely tied. Presidential results have not been released yet.

Under Mugabe the country has faced one economic crisis after the other. Zimbabweans were suffering the world's highest inflation of more than 100 000%, food and fuel shortages, and an HIV/Aids epidemic that had contributed to a steep decline in life expectancy.

Tension rising

While the mood was tense in Zimbabwe, the election has been mostly violence-free. However Mugabe has vowed to crack down on premature celebrations, viewing these as an act of treason or a coup attempt.

Riot police have continued to patrol suburbs and streets throughout Harare.

"Tension is definitely rising because this is such an emotional issue for many Zimbabweans," said Muronzi. "They are itching for change."

Zimbabweans were very optimistic about an opposition win, according to Muronzi, despite official parliamentary results largely showing ruling party Zanu-PF neck-in-neck with opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

The MDC has started to show a slim lead over Zanu-PF though results have been constantly delayed, leading to suspicions that Mugabe was delaying the announcement of his defeat in an attempt to rig the vote.

"I want to believe Zanu-PF would be honourable enough to respect the will of the people," said Muronzi about a possible MDC win. Officials within Zanu-PF have said the party will step down if they were to lose.

However Muronzi pointed out that "Zanu-PF by nature is not a very tolerant party," and there are fears that Mugabe would continue clinging to power whatever the election results.

A big problem

"Should Mugabe choose not to respect the outcome of the election, it could be a big problem for the Zimbabwean people," said Muronzi.

The armed forces who have kept Mugabe in power have remained largely loyal to him. Chief of staff Constantine Chiwenga said prior to the poll he would not salute anyone who not fought in the country's liberation war, a reference to MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

But election results have surprised observers, with the MDC winning former Zanu-PF strongholds in the rural areas.

"Years ago, it would have been inconceivable to imagine an MDC victory in these parts of the country but it is now clear to all and sundry that Mugabe's political star is not shining any more," said Muronzi.

"It just goes to show without contest that Mugabe's long stay in power is unwanted and unwarranted."

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