Go-betweens tried to bribe, and then to intimidate Mr Masiyiwa into sharing his business with Telecel's backers.

ECONOMIST: Judgment day

He won his licence in December 1997, while Telecel's was cancelled.

ECONOMIST: Judgment day

Telecel eventually won a new licence, but because its managers know more about lobbying than about running a telephone firm, it poses little threat to Econet.

ECONOMIST: Judgment day