Zimbabweans have voted. Although results won't be known for a few days, it's not too early for SIMON ALLISON to conclude that Zimbabwean citizens are much better at this democracy thing than the politicians who represent them, and to indulge in a little illegal speculation.

"Come August 1, Mugabe will be history." If there's one thing that Morgan Tsvangirai can't be faulted for, it's his confidence, and the Zimbabwean opposition leader remained in a defiantly bullish mood yesterday as Zimbabweans flocked to polling stations to cast their vote in what may be the most important election in the country's democratic history.

But this particular prediction may have been a little over-optimistic. August 1 is here, and so too is President Robert Mugabe, who's showing no sign of going anywhere. Mugabe, as usual, is playing a long game. When asked if he intended on serving out his full five-year term, should he win, the 89-year-old (remarkably spry and wrinkle-free for his age) dismissed the question: "Why not? Why should I offer myself as a candidate when I know I won't finish my term?"

Keen observers will note that, despite the haughty tone, this is not exactly a denial. His comment is...