Bulawayo

4 April 2008

Reporter: Martin Bondi

We are being told by the gentlemen of the Zimbabwean press are telling us that the MDC have won the parliamentary elections but that there is likely to be a run-off for the presidential vote and Mugabe looks like he's going to fight on when it comes to the presidential run-off.

The streets of Bulawayo were quiet this morning. The presence of riot police has, it would seem, done nothing to dampen the mood of the people. It is clear that they are restless for change but, as yet, there is no sign that the mood of the people will turn ugly.

There are more signs from the agencies of the state that things may be about to warm up. I heard that Renata was picked up in Harare for lacking accreditation (I always gave her a great deal of credit, though) and one of Cindy's friends from CNBC was shipped off to the local militia for the same reasons. I have not picked up on anything similar happening here, but we wait and see.

I doubt I'll have much trouble, mainly as I'm freelance and pretty much firing out copy when I can be arsed. Not like poor old Cindy-poos who has to check in with her bosses every couple of hours - oh the travails of a 24-hour news network journalist!

Still, it hasn't stopped old MB from having fun! We had a great meal at the hotel on Thursday evening, actually, it was a meal that started sometime around lunchtime. We got up late and kicked off the day with a few bottles of the hotel's best champers, which we enjoyed in the confines of our rather splendid little suit (thanks CNN!). As you can imagine, things went from good to better (as they always seem to do for old Bondi, eh) - we had a rather strenuous morning work out, fuelled by champagne and some rather exceptional cigars, before moving on to lunch and then dinner. I cannot recommend zebra more highly - it has a great taste and, if the beast is less than two years old, the meat is so gloriously succulent!

Following dinner, naturally, we polished off some of Bondi's uncle Johnny and Cindy-poo entertained yours truly in a most original fashion… Quality!

Best.

MB.

p.s. Bridge, if you're reading this, you've probably worked out that I won't be home this evening. Pops and Mummsy are coming over from the estate, so you won't be a lonely old Bridgy-widgey will you, grumpy goat? I had meant to tell you earlier but, well, things got a bit out of hand.

p.p.s. Bridge, Hope you've got that dry cleaning - should be home in a week or two - see how things pan out here, eh.