Use of racial rhetoric and hate speech is merely a smoke screen to obscure the central aim. In fact there cannot be more than 20,000 white votes, perhaps less now, after the voters- roll rigging. This is hardly enough to influence a country of 12 million. Recently however, it is becoming apparent that terror campaigns were having the reverse effect on potential voters. There is a deepening and growing ground swell of resentment growing against Government perpetrators of the violence.
People seem to have had enough.
They want change. With the emergence of the fact that there will be an opposition regardless of what intimidation takes place, the ZANU PF strategy has changed slightly. The opposition could be allowed a token role in the Government but would be controlled via 'extra legal' means if necessary. A new government, which included Tsvangirai, would have obvious benefits. The 'Democratic' process would be seen to have taken place.