As I type, Zimbabweans, should they wish, are voting in the second round of the Presidential election. Except, unlike elections elsewhere, there is only one candidate and he claims to be “upbeat” and “very optimistic”.

In a one man race, he can hardly lose, can he?

In a weak attempt to suggest a fair competition, the ballot papers still list the MDC’s Morgan Tsvangirai (who withdrew his candidature last Sunday) - but, more out of cost saving than anything else, the option remains.

It has been suggested that Mugabe’s party have suggested to the proletariat that the MDC option remains open - and then any votes for the MDC are considered spoiled and, as the ballot papers are numbered, they have a simple paper trail back to the supposed ‘traitor’ voter.

Reports have already started to filter through that ZANU PF officials are taking serial numbers of ballot papers so that at least the threat of retribution remains.

But perhaps even more interesting than any other event this week has been the growing number of African leaders who are now opposed to the actions of Robert Gabriel Mugabe.

And that list now includes Nelson Mandela - to which Mugabe had his Information Minister, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, dismiss, although I do note that the language used in that dismissal was toned down somewhat.

In essence, Mugabe has, through his Minister, implied that Mandela’s statement is made under some sort of duress, seeing as Mandiba is in London to host a music concert this evening to celebrate his forthcoming 90th birthday.

What Mugabe fails to note, is that Mandela is his own person, and has endured more than his fair share of suffering, and is hardly likely to bow to any “Western” pressure.

Botswanan President, Ian Khama, has threatened action on Zimbabwe if African leaders do not resolve the problem. It is unclear exactly what action Khama may take, but we need to be aware that Botswana is an unknown entity and therefore the threat cannot be ignored.

So where does all this leave the good Zimbabwean people?

Very simply - more of Mugabe’s egoist rule. More of his lopsided, biased policies - and, without a shadow of a doubt - more oppressive rule in the country’s headlong slide into violence and poverty.

The international community may indicate its collective concern, but lack of any action, either real or economic, has failed to budge the Mugabe impetus.

We will watch, in the next few days, unlike the first round when we had to live through a five week delay in releasing the results, Mugabe ‘claim’ victory and VERY quickly thereafter, he will be sworn into office.

The problem for Mugabe - and the MDC - is that the MDC holds the majority in Parliament, so even if Mugabe appoints a cabinet legally (unlike the present cabinet which I believe was illegally re-appointed), they will struggle to reach agreement on many bills that find their way to parliament.

Mugabe has spent many years fortifying his ‘executive powers’ and much of what the MDC parliamentary may be able to delay, Mugabe can ratify into power with a simple signature.

If anything, the sham of an election today in Zimbabwe will allow Mugabe more reason to bolster his rule, more reason to up the rhetoric, and more reason to come down on the Zimbabwean people.

A free and fair election this is not, and democracy is one word that doesn’t come near to describing the events in Zimbabwe today.

Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man