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Jammed! Zimbabwe's immobile mobile systems
Freedom is in the air, and change is already being commemorated by Zimbabwe's urbanites on the phones. All through Harare's forbidding streets, littered with police, people walk with cellphones, discussing delayed results from the March 29 elections. Moreover, the rumour-mill is busy, particularly with stories over the presidential election.
“I'm receiving calls and all sorts of messages, even from strangers, declaring that (Morgan) Tsvangirai has won,” says Goodwill Mutangadura, a car-dealer in the capital.
Indeed, telecommunication services have been jammed as people jostle to inform each other and enquire about the outcome of the presidential poll, close to a week since elections last Saturday.
It's taking close to 20 attempts to get through to a cellphone because of congestion, already struggling due to an economic meltdown that has hamstrung import of critical equipment.
“It's people calling from everywhere,” says Daniel Mathuthu, a manager with a retail group. “Relatives in the Diaspora are calling to give those back home breaking news from international channels, or calling to enquire about the peace and possible outcome of the election results, particularly the presidential results.”
The delay in the release of the election results has triggered an outpouring of speculation, especially after the MDC declared a Tsvangirai victory at the polls.
A man from Waterfalls, a Harare suburb, said he was even receiving text messages from as far as the UK with election results and humorous election messages.
“I don't know how these people have known my number; total strangers are obviously trying to keep our struggle alive,” says the man, who declined to be named but described himself as an activist for change.
There are three text messages that have become very popular with mobile phone owners.
One reads: “We would like to apologise to the nation for the late release of the presidential results. This is due to the rigging process, which is proving to be more difficult that we had anticipated.”
Another one reads, “If ZEC fails to supply us with the presidential election results by the end of today, we will have no choice by get them from the black market…”
The third one reads: “Big pick up truck wanted: State House to Zvimba.” Zvimba is Mugabe's rural home.
However, others worry the situation might break into violence.
“My mother called from the UK saying she feared for our safety,” says a mother of two, refusing to be named. “I said, well, mom, better buy air tickets for us.”
