In a country where it is now punishable to support the opposition political party, many Zimbabweans opt to keep mum, and vow to face the country’s dictator Robert Mugabe in the voting booth next week on the 27th June.

People no longer make political statements or utterances in public, fearing ZANU PF state security agents, youth militia and uniformed forces who are currently on a rampage murdering and torturing citizens.

In a survey around one of the main opposition party, MDC strongholds- the capital Harare, many have resorted to ‘hide’ from the ZANU PF terror through ‘identifying’ themselves with the ruling party.

In this situation, which has caused a lot of independent journalists to go underground, this article is mainly based on remarks and comments passed by Harare residents in his (reporter’s) presence.

A number of people now have ZANU PF regalia, especially T-shirts. Many of them say they wear them so as to conduct their day to day activities without any harassment from the notorious youth militia.

This reporter bumped into one neighbour- a Disk Jockey (DJ) wearing a ZANU PF T-shirt.

Without even greeting each other, the DJ quickly defended why he had the T-shirt on.

“I am doing it for safety’s sake. The ruling party youths are after me in our area. They gave me this T-shirt, and even come home looking for me.”

Mugabe has reportedly refused to succumb to recent pressure from South African president Thabo Mbeki, among other African and Western leaders to stop violence and shelve the presidential election run-off.

The aging leader reportedly refused to meet Tsvangirai over negotiations whilst insisting he will stay in power until ‘he finishes his mission’- of distributing land and other resources to Zimbabweans.

Many touts in the city can be seen putting on ZANU PF regalia on a daily basis.

One hinted this makes his life much more easier and safer.

“The political situation in this country has become very tense, whereby it is very risky to be aligned to the opposition.”

“Anywhere, we shall meet on 27 June. That is when the truth will be known,” he said.

Regional support for Mugabe is fast fading with many leaders indicating it will be difficult to endorse the election if Mugabe wins.

On Friday, the ruling party youth militia went around the suburb of Warren Park ‘informing’ residents there would be a rally the following day (Saturday 22 June) in the same area.

One resident said the group instructed businesses to close by 11am on Saturday, and every resident will be required to attend the rally- which is rumored to be addressed by Mugabe and other top party chefs.

“They said they are going to come here again tomorrow morning and will go door by door driving people out- to the rally venue.”

“We have been discussing this with my family, and for safety reasons, we have to go there.”

“There is nothing we can do. If we don’t attend, we might be beaten just like what is happening to others. We have to fake it,” he said.

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