Deluded Mugabe

A thousand years ago the Danish ruler Cnut became King of England. He is remembered today for sitting on a throne on the seashore, surrounded by courtiers, and ordering the tide to retreat.

King Canute, as he is better known, was not mad. He was making the point that – however powerful he was – some things were beyond him. In the words of his first biographer, he was showing 'how empty and worthless is the power of kings'. He was not deluded like Mugabe, who believes he can stop the clock and avoid change.

Some foreign diplomats and MDC politicians have reported that Mugabe can apparently be 'charming'. You could even, after his 'resurrection' remark last week, say there is an embryonic sense of humour. But it is clear that he does not have an imagination.

Mugabe's rebuke to the judiciary for allowing demonstrations against his misrule illustrated his belief that the constitution is his to interpret. He is the law. He is the state. His powers are unlimited.

The Vigil waits with interest to see how he reacts when he wakes up and hears about Chinamasa's sacking of 25,000 state workers, cuts in pay and allowances - and even scrapping the sacred bonuses. Last year Mugabe ordered the tide to retreat - and Chinamasa duly complied and restored bonuses. This year there simply isn't the money to do this again.

Thanks to Fungayi Mabhunu who appeared at the Vigil in Mugabe mask and judge's wig to demonstrate with the help of a 'button stick' the reality of power in Zimbabwe. He was surrounded by Vigil supporters carrying posters saying: 'Chief Injustice Mugabe', 'Mugabe says the protest is treason' and 'Mugabe: I am the law'.