In the train of return, Zimbabwean voters dream of change

In the freezing night, the train slowly crosses the arid plains of northern South Africa towards the Zimbabwean border. Immigrants return home to vote Monday, hoping for change in the first presidential election since the fall of Robert Mugabe.

"The Zimbabwean people need a new life to forget the hard times they lived under the rule of old Mugabe," said Emile Manyikunike, 36, wearing a black leather jacket on a T-shirt Bob Marley

Lacked by the military and his Zanu-PF party, in command since 1980, Robert Mugabe was forced to resign in November at the age of 93 and after thirty-seven years in power

During his reign, Zimbabwe's economy collapsed and millions of people fled, often to neighboring Africa, Africa's largest industrial power, to seek work and escape repression.

"People were being beaten by the police when they did not agree with the government and we could not even trust our neighbors because there were Zanu-PF spies. at every street corner ", explains to AFP Emile Manyikunike, a self-entrepreneur. 9659003] "This train brings me home so I can vote and bring change," he says with hope

The six cars have just left Johannesburg Central Station to travel in 15 hours the 600 kilometers to Messina, about ten kilometers from the Zimbabwean border.

The train has just returned to service in February after a three-year hiatus. Although it may have been modernized, power cuts remain frequent in the wagons during the night journey.

– "The Zanu-PF still wins" –

On board, Zimbabwean voters rub shoulders with regulars this Friday evening loaded with corn, blankets or laundry.

On Monday, Emile Manyikunike will vote Nelson Chamisa, the young leader of the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and the main opponent of the new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa , member of Zanu-PF

"Chamisa must ensure that all Zimbabweans have work so that even those who have left can return and we can rebuild the country," warns Emile Manyikunike.

he, a Zimbabwean nurse who works in South Africa, returns to the country on purpose to vote. Proxy voting from abroad is forbidden.

"We come home because we want a new country, we've been fighting this old man for 37 years, he thought only of himself", launches the mother, who prefers to remain anonymous

"I will vote for the young Chamisa," she says. The opponent proudly displays his 40th birthday, against 75 years old for President Mngangagwa, a former right-hand man of Robert Mugabe

"The old ones have been stuck in the past, their brains are old too, they can not think properly "

Not far from her, Gertrude Tshabalala, a 58-year-old servant in South Africa, visits her grandchildren. In her luggage, she brings back meat, canned food and pans.

"Zanu-PF still wins," warns the Zimbabwean. "But two of my grandchildren are old enough to vote this year and I hope their vote will count, not like mine in the past."

Hungry travelers head for the restaurant wagon. On the menu: corn purée, steak and chicken, drizzled with beer or cider.

The night sets in. The less fortunate, who paid 190 rand (12 euros) for a seat, sleepy by putting their head on their luggage. The others lie in their bunk at 310 rand, to which must be added 60 rand for a pillow, sheets and a thin blanket.

In the morning, the train arrives at its terminus, Messina. Most passengers immediately board mini-taxis for the busy Beitbridge border crossing.

On the South African side of the border, a 45-year-old Zimbabwean driver, Andrew Kumalo, stands out Passengers of the train

"The country needs experienced people, not an experience, believes this supporter of the Zanu-PF A new broom cleans better certainly, but an old blanket is always more comfortable. to keep our revolutionary party. "