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This state we're in
Tawanda Mudzonga
April 18, 2008

Harare-s streets are deceptively quiet. There is peace in the city where an election and its results have plainly expressed a nation-s discontent. Even as state officials deny us our right to constitutional change, people are still walking to work, chatting with their neighbours and doing the Harare hustle. There is no violence here; this is not Kenya.

An election happens and two weeks later, no one knows the outcome. Life goes on. But behind each pleasant greeting and each stolen glance of the past three weeks there is unease. No one says a word, but we all feel it as we pass each other in the street. The distinct sense of expectation unfulfilled. We avoid each other-s eyes. The deception lies just below the surface, eyes veiled, hearts burning, and an anger and frustration hidden deep beneath social convention. Zimbabweans, famous for their infinite patience, are in shock. As a coping mechanism and alternative to violence, we have all adopted the distinctive reveal-nothing-and-remain-composed routine we have perfected as a collective cultural trait. Instead of raising our fists with violence, we collude and pretend that all is well. Harare is a broken machine, overflowing with repressed despair and misery. Emotionally exhausted from its decline, we protect ourselves from the open wounds of Zimbabwe-s stark reality.

On the 29th of March 2008, the people of Zimbabwe voted in the election we prayed would usher in the change that would end the tyranny of Robert Mugabe-s regime. A change we so desperately needed to put an end to the economic crisis of the past 6 years. It has become apparent to anyone with half a brain and a fistful of $10 million dollar notes in their pocket that the regime which has held us in its grip for the past 28 years has failed. This election was the opportunity to let our voices be heard. Three weeks after the elections, the presidential results have yet to be announced. For the first time in 28 years, ZANU is surprised and unprepared. The state has refused to release the final tally, realizing that their man is so far behind they can-t possibly pull the wool over our eyes as they have done in the past. Robert Mugabe has become a symbol of the destructiveness of this nation and the people have spoken.

In the midst of this denial, this insult, our friendly neighbourhood Governor of the Reserve Bank Dr. Gideon Gono, releases new $25 million and $50 million dollar notes. We are stuck in this bizarre paradox of domestic violence, optionless and complicit. The government raises its fist and strikes the blow that denies us our election and then throws us pieces of candy to try and soothe the restless. "Here, take some more of this fake, worthless money we printed today", they say. I imagine Dr. G, in full swagger driving his Mercedes throwing cash at the TV screen like Puff Daddy. He-s living the good life, just like on MTV. Which is all fine except, people are dying. The nation is on its knees and what we want is far more than a Mercedes Benz. We want our freedom.

No one is prepared for this tactic and ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) officials continue to prohibit the release of the election results. Last week they argued in court that it would be dangerous to do so and that anyway, it was 'privileged information-. Indeed. Speculation is rife that the state will simply insist on a run-off and do Election 2.0. This time, they-re adopting Super Rigging: guaranteed results or your money back. And the MDC? After 8 years of trying, the MDC face the prospect of being outmanoeuvred once again. ZANU have done the unthinkable and are bluffing their way through with arrogance and the threat of their many degrees of violence. On the 29th of March, the nation participated in a fairly democratic process and unequivocally asked the fist to kindly step down please. ZANU, down but not out, simply turn the other way and plan their next move.

Zimbabwe-s greatest tragedy is that we fought for freedom only to have it wrested from us by our liberators. The will of the people has long ceased to matter to our former liberators, now oppressors. This election is merely an elaborate pretence. Backed into a corner, the state and its allies fear-monger through the media. Lofty statements like, "The trouble with these elections, is that they were free and fair" and "We are now going to go to war, peacefully" show an iron-clad determination that this situation will not soon be resolved. ZANU PF open their mouths and hope that bluster, grandiloquence and threats will cover up the gaping hole that is the government-s refusal to admit that they have lost. But they cannot hide their fear. In this crucial battle between the fist and the open palm, will we have our truth?

As we brace ourselves for week four of election 2008, politicians continue to play their games. They hold meeting after meeting. Summits, even. Declarations are declared and strikes are stricken. They go to court and petition. They plead with our neighbours who turn a blind eye, aware that just as with domestic violence, it would be improper to intervene. Certainly it would be impossible to reprimand a man of such high esteem and stature. But for Zimbabweans engaged in the daily hustle for survival, elections, politics and politicians mean nothing now. We are too busy erecting our elaborate yet crumbling façade of existence. In between the political charades, Zimbabweans continue the Harare hustle as prices sky rocket and pockets empty. A billionaire today but a few purchases later, you-re just a millionaire wondering where you-re going to get that next billion. If this isn-t a crisis then it-s a carefully orchestrated theatrical production where death is the final act. Forced onto the stage, Zimbabweans heart-breakingly act out their prescribed roles. Our eyes hollow, our smiles wide and empty, we limply animate ourselves, hoping for a new story, a new director, a chance at a different ending. But with each passing week this hope fades and we brace ourselves for the violence.

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