Rival factions within the ruling Zanu-PF party are angling for succession and Mugabe allegedly wants to cut a deal -- immunity from prosecution for atrocities committed during his 23-rule, among other things -- with the eventual winner.
The gravest danger is that the successor will turn out to be Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, who has not accepted losing last year's rigged presidential election.
After a series of one-day general strikes the MDC called last week for a "final push", a five-day set of strikes and street protests to topple the president.
The stayaway turned cities into ghost towns, a telling show of support, but the police, army and Zanu-PF militia swept demonstrations from the streets, with 814 arrested.
Many had bruises and broken limbs to accompany their tales of torture, with at least one confirmed death.
It was also alleged that MDC activists stoned to death a man suspected of belonging to Zanu-PF.
Mugabe is also harassing opposition leaders. Tsvangirai, already facing trial for treason, was arrested twice last week and on Friday was charged for a second time with treason, allegedly for inciting Mugabe's overthrow during last year's elections.
Other senior MDC officials arrested include Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube, the mayor of Bulawayo, and Tendai Biti, a Harare MP.
For analysts the cliche of choice is endgame, and this must surely be the regime's final phase, but it could last weeks, months, years.
Zimbabwe is locked in a grim stalemate: the opposition has widespread support but cannot muster the sort of protests which toppled Slobodan Milosevic. The president can crush dissent but not control events, so he plays for time, a game he does well.
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