Zimbabwe: Jeers and Heckles Drown out Mugabe's Speech in Parliament
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SW Radio Africa (London)
26 August 2008
Posted to the web 26 August 2008
Tichaona Sibanda
Robert Mugabe was jeered and heckled by MDC parliamentarians on Tuesday as he delivered his speech at the official opening of parliament.
The angry MPs booed Mugabe when he declared that "landmark agreements have been concluded with every expectation that everybody will sign up."
The MPs later repeated Monday's performance of the song "ZANU PF is rotten." Initially the MDC had indicated it would boycott the opening over the lack of progress in power-sharing negotiations, but decided to attend at the last minute as a mark of respect for the new speaker of parliament Lovemore Moyo.
Part of Mugabe's speech was drowned out by the heckling from MDC parliamentarians who felt he was dodging crucial issues such as his sham elections, the violence and his attempt to cling to power in a power-sharing deal. MDC Chief Whip Innocent Gonese said it was important to send a clear message to Mugabe that what he was saying was "hogwash," and was not a true reflection of things on the ground.
Journalist Angus Shaw said the heckling was an unprecedented show of defiance by the MDC MPs who refused to stand when Mugabe entered parliament and shouted his party "is rotten!"
Shaw said the jeers occasionally drowned out his 30-minute speech that was broadcast live on national television. This forced Mugabe to raise his voice. He added that Mugabe was "looking annoyed" as he was forced to race through the final lines.
Gonese said Mugabe had no right to open the chamber and warned that the move would endanger the deadlocked negotiations. The MP said they handed over a petition to Vice President Joyce Mujuru stating why they did not recognise Mugabe as Head of State. They also declared in the petition that the opening of the 7th Parliament was a clear breach of the Memorandum of Understanding.
The petition stated: "The purported opening by Mugabe (of Parliament), the illegitimate usurper of the people's will as reflected on 29 March 2008, is illegal and of no force and effect. For the avoidance of doubt, the only person who can officially open this session of Parliament will be determined by the outcome of the on-going dialogue sponsored by SADC."
It added that the appointment of Senators and governors by Mugabe was an affront to the MOU and a fraud against the people of Zimbabwe, which wrongfully and unlawfully was designed to affect the election of both the President and Vice President of the Senate.
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After the ceremony, parliament was adjourned to October 14.
Read comments. Write your own.
These MDC-T punks should never be taken seriously by any level headed human being out there. First they say they will attend the opening of parliament then a few days later they say they will boycott it then a day later they make another u-turn again , ..This childish nonsense by MDC-T MPS of playing to the gallery… [Read Full Text]
Long may the mdc "punks" live and give gabe gabe a hard time. the time is coming when gabe gabe will be begging for mercy from the very people he terrorised! And good riddance when that happens..lets hope they show him as much mercy as he showed his victims!!
Mentally retarded mwendamberi mirrors his own sorry state of mind on valiant MDC MPs! He confirms what is evident to most observers! That lunatic Mugabe has mesmerised all those mentally retarded Zimbas and turned them into a dirty bunch of fans who are jumping straight from the fring pan into the fire!
Criminal Mugabe, the anti-West crusader! What a funny joke? He rode on his Western prestigious Rolls Royce to Parliament! while ranting against the West and calling on his mentally troubled fans to cast away all things West?? And the tie? Another symbol of the Western influence?
Dictator Mobutu… [Read Full Text]
Prem...more...more!!!ha ha ha
Prem, you really give it to gabe gabe and that other moroon today. You just crack me up. Some of them out there are so brainwashed and constipated in the brain that their mouth only utters the garbage that clugs it. We need to send them for "reorientation and reschooling" Morgan style
Well said Mwendamberi,
The MDC stooges proved yesterday that they are monkeys who have no brains at all. They should have respected the office of the President and not go into parliament to make noise. I tell you they will be making this kind of noise until 2013 and will not bring any value to the parliament of Zimbabwe. Its sad to think that we are stack with these MDC monkeys until 2013. Perhaps President RGM should dissolve parliament and call for new elections so that we can get rid of these brainless MDC monkeys and elect people who have… [Read Full Text]
Why should a man who has beaten and murdered his own people through intimidation to keep power be respected? Are you saying its ok to beat and murder and torture, but its not ok to yell a few words out? A bit hypercritical dont you think? What happened to free speech.
And the best thing is, theres a much better chance of a free and fair election in 2013, so you will see more of these MDC people in power. Fantastic dont you think Democracy working. Just a shame a true reflection of the peoples will is going to be… [Read Full Text]
They maybe monkeys but at least not terrorist GUERILLAS murdering their own people !
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Bravo MDC Parliamentarians! All in the Free World should be proud that they had the bravery to speak out in word, writing and deed against the murderous mob that has held back and tortured this beautiful country for so long. Maybe, just maybe, the muck-brained Mugabe will start to understand that he is no longer wanted by the decent people of Zimbabwe, and go away; let’s pray it so.