March 31, 2008
Posted: 1509 GMT

BEIT BRIDGE, South Africa-Zimbabwe border – Zimbabwean English has always been wonderfully inventive. The country itself is fondly nicknamed "Zim", a beer is a "shumba" after one of the most popular brands "Lion" beer, and a crocodile is a "flatdog."

CNN correspondent Robyn Curnow reports from the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
CNN correspondent Robyn Curnow reports from the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

But now, it is something called "the Zek" that is consuming most Zimbabweans’ lives.

"I wonder why it is," one man asked me early this morning on the South African-Zimbabwe border post, "that the Zek is taking so long."

"The Zek??" I replied, mystified.

"Yes," he said emphatically, "the Zek is really taking its time now. I wonder what it means? Maybe the government is not doing so well after all. If they were winning the Zek would be doing its work more speedily."

"What," I pleaded with him, ‘is the Zek?"

"The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission," he told me. ZEC are its initials - so, of course, "the ZEK."

What else could it be called?

With the opposition MDC claiming to lead the polls and Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party trailing in the count at this stage, many people here at Beit Bridge on the border are beginning to hope - for what they are not quite sure yet.

There is still much fear in Zimbabwe. Those who have crossed the border from Zimbabwe tell us that police are patrolling the major cities and that the army has been called back to barracks to wait in readiness.

As the slow vote counting continues, this is the time of rumor. We hear from a number of credible sources that the generals met for hours last night and then again with President Mugabe this morning.

Then there are the unfounded stories. "The borders are closed!" someone says to me on my cellphone - when it is clear to me, standing on the very border that they are open.

Callers to the morning radio talk shows in Johannesburg were claiming that Robert Mugabe had fled to Malaysia last night!Where do these rumours come from?

It is impossible to tell, but one thing is clear. People, at last, are expecting something. Do they yet dare hope for a change?

"I would caution them," another Zimbabwean man said to me at a gas station. "That old man has cheated many elections before this one. We will have to see what he does."

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Filed under: Zimbabwe


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Mike O   March 31st, 2008 1618 GMT

Mugabe's minions probably ran out of headstones they can get voter names off of; it takes quite awhile to invent names for as many ghost voters as he'll need this time.

nyasha   March 31st, 2008 1721 GMT

are you suggesting that Mugabe did not run away to Malaysia, he has been kown to do that in the past elections. this rumor seems plausible considering that we have not heard about him making any statements about the death of his beloved sister whom many believed died from shock amid reports of how the MDC was bulldozing her part.

Anna   April 1st, 2008 120 GMT

POSSIBLE BALKAN WAR

Hi,
I'd like to know when CNN will dedicate journalistic time to the possible Balkan war about to errupt between Greece and F.Y.R.O.M. and between F.Y.R.O.M. and Albania?

I am shocked and appalled to not see any coverage on (at the very least) the CNN World page. If you search the printed and televised news resports from today, you will see that F.Y.R.O.M. took action to deface the Greek flag by changing the cross to a swastika and printed in their papers a picture of the Greek President in a Nazis outfit.

Ironic, since it was F.Y.R.O.M. and the former Yugoslav area who's leader Tito supported the Nazis in WWII,

What is F.Y.R.O.M. trying to achieve? Ownership of the name "Macedonia" which for more than 2,000 years belongs to the northern region of Greece.

If you decide that a Balkan War where the US Gov't has recently played a central role (yet once again) is of relevance to you, please ensure to research and broadcast the history in totality, rather than only rhetoric of a few.

You will find documentation in US archives showing your government's role fin this issue starting rom WWII. Other European stations have already been broadcasting about this situation now and for a while, including showing us the audience, your US signed official documents.

I think it is absolutely shameful the US Gov't is once again dragging the US people into a situation similar to Iraq. I understand your economy is suffering but allowing your elected officials to start another war is not going to help matters. It certainly will not improve world view of Americans. And, considering that Greece gave the US the foundations for democracy, all I can say is your leaders should be ashamed of themselves for supporting F.Y.R.O.M. and determining to strip and sell the identify of a people (Macedonians) over 2000 yrs. old in a country (Greece) more than 5000 years old is a worthy bargaining chip to gain royalties and rights to the oil pipeline from Russia.

Do the research. You will see all the propagandy left behind by Tito coming to fruition today that could drag US recruits into another war.

florence   April 1st, 2008 1133 GMT

it is quite evident from the delay that rigging is indeed taking place
we have suffered for too long
i am a zimbabwean myself, but as a professional i was reduced to nothing whilst working in Zimbabwe and have had to turn to neighbouring countries for survival.
it is painfull to leave you family behind and go in search for work but that is what has happened to a lot of the Zimbabweans who have gone out in search for work outside the country
i now only fear for my family which i left back at home if violence does break out.
may the Lord look over our country in this most trying time.

Mlungu   April 1st, 2008 1359 GMT

It is time for change.
We as Zimbabweans have faith that the Lord Jesus will be with us.
Please God hear our prayer and let us get a leader that loves his people as much as we love our country.

antony   April 2nd, 2008 634 GMT

there is eminent danger that looms due to the election results delay.am a kenyan and i would hate and fear to see kenya scenario being played in zimbambwe.we wish all zimbambwe people all the best and may peace prevail as the yerns for the long lost wishes they have alwaays aspired for

Abdullahi Edward   April 2nd, 2008 1541 GMT

This election is not a case of an oppressed population using democratic means to overthrow an oppressive tyrant as you and most Western Media continually present it.
Just as you have manufactured the news about this issue you have also manufactured the economic crises that generated the image that allowed you to do so.
Economic strangulation is just as much a coup-de-tat as a military putsh.
This is classic capitalism exercising it's most negative talents in an attempt to remove someone who had the termidity to try to establish a different governing system.
Lastly, in the interest of of maintaining your supposed un-biased opinions and editorial style reporting, and, as one of the most ardent advocates of the freedom of the press associated with your so called democracy, there has been a noticeable lack of interviews expressing contradictory views.

Pieter   April 2nd, 2008 2011 GMT

It will mean the world to me if Mugabe loses this election, that is if he doesn't rigg it again.

Its so funny how many african goverments state they are democratic but hates defeat and then goes about doing everything in their power against what democracy stands for to remain in power!

We in South africa are being overun by refugees and unfortunatly if you can't get a job you turn to crime..

So please MDC, kick that old cheat out of the country so that Zimbabwe can regain the glory they once had in Southern Africa.

alex   April 5th, 2008 1404 GMT

And the South African government is silent as usual in support of Mugabe. At least they consistant with their silent diplomacy. Or maybe they are just shocked into silence as Mugabe is that their friend is loosing the battle.

Africa never changes. No wonder the West just lets things ride and prefer to pour money into China.

GRACE   April 5th, 2008 1649 GMT

MUGABE FROM A HERO TO A ZEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

It is time for that CRUEL man to go. I will be happy if he is judged for his wrong doings. He should not walk freely. He should be put into prison for sure. If Sally (ex-wife) was still alive, I think it was going to be better. This is all because of Grace.

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