Zimbabwe: MDC-T MPs' Behaviour Disgraceful
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 Published by the government of Zimbabwe |
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The Herald (Harare)
EDITORIAL
27 August 2008
Posted to the web 27 August 2008
Harare
DISGRACEFUL is the word we can use to sum up the conduct of MDC-T MPs who made complete asses of themselves during the official opening of Parliament yesterday.
In their wisdom or lack of it, the MPs chose to heed President Mugabe's proclamation to open Parliament, only to come in and try to disrupt proceedings with childish catcalls, singing and heckling during the President's address.
While the behaviour that appeared meant to embarrass the President, it only served to reveal the gulf between him and the opposition, as his handling of the situation and call on the opposition to work with Government in nation-building amplified his stature as a statesman par excellence.
It is the instigators who were, instead, left with egg on their faces, and we are sure in their private moments they realise they only made fools of themselves.
We applaud President Mugabe for ignoring the hecklers and pressing on with his speech as if nothing was happening.
The MDC-T MPs came across as a group of people not yet ready for the demands and dignity of high office, heckling a man who not only tolerated their aggression but also continued extending a fatherly hand towards them even as they proved to be unworthy of such overtures. We hope the electorate was watching and judging.
The performance will earn MDC-T high marks from their Western masters as their charade yesterday conforms to how African "democratic" do-gooders are expected to behave.
We would like to remind the MDC-T legislators that Parliament is an assembly for the mature where only honourable conduct and disposition are acceptable, which is why there is the presumption of honour before every member's name.
Yes, Parliament is a melting pot, comprising of people from a variety of backgrounds; some were in student politics, others in pressure groups and some in various occupations where such conduct may have been permissible.
But when one becomes a representative of the people, one automatically assumes greater responsibilities demanding lofty decorum.
What is heartening about yesterday's events is that the MDC-T MPs came and endorsed the legitimacy of President Mugabe despite their infantile antics.
Relevant Links
By responding to Cde Mugabe's convening of the Seventh Parliament and staying throughout his address in which he laid out the legislative agenda of this parliament, means the MDC-T MPs have now fully accepted that the presidency of Cde Mugabe is a fact of life.
Read comments. Write your own.
As the right to self-determination has never been more critical across Africa, sensible words and a very agreeable action plan from the president of Zimbabwe. Let's hope he follows through and other African leaders prepare their countries for the same lest they too are attacked. Unfortunately it is now very clear that the MDC puts power above their country’s needs. The business of running Zimbabwe cannot afford delay whilst many go hungry. It's also a shame that Morgan Tsvangirai has been exposed as grotesque caricature out of Franz Fanzoni's The Wretched of the Earth, but finally Robert Mugabe has… [Read Full Text]
inadango..are you for real??? this is whatyou asserted: "Unfortunately it is now very clear that the MDC puts power above their country’s needs." Who has been in power for the past 28+ years?? MDC??? NO!!! mugabe and zanupf!!!! get that into YOUR thick skull and do some homework before coming on here and making a total ass of yourself!!! Mugabe standing up to the west?? What west?? I thought he was friends with the chinese who wont lend him a penny...as neither will the other level headed leaders of africa!!!
Are you going to cut & paste your idiocy on every article?
In response, what action plan? ZANU-PF/Mugabe simply is NOT capable of leading Zimbabwe out of the morass they have created by their tyranical and oligarchic policies!
Who is going to step up and assist ZANU-PF/Mugabe? No One! Even the Chinese like to know their investments are secure. Who will invest hard capital in Zimbabwe under the regime of ZANU-PF/Mugabe.
Whatever "plan" ZANU-PF/Mugabe has is irrelevent! They haven't the wherewithal to make it succeed!
Stop cutting & pasting the same tripe on every article -… [Read Full Text]
In as much as I'm against Zanupf's president and all it's supporters,MDC really showed once again that they are as irresponsible ,as foolish and as ignorant as zanupf Mp's.Zimbabwe is doomed.
If you refer to the MP's belonging to MDC-T's reception of Comrade Bob at Parliament, then I'm afraid I disagree. I think MDC-T's demonstration in Parliament against Comrade Bob shows great promise for the future of Zimbabwe!
Parliament is about the only possible forum left in Zimbabwe which the grievances of the MDC-T and their supporters can be heard and not suppressed! As the majority in Parliament, let's see how the "government" is viewed by the "Herald" and the "ZBC". One would hope that coverage on state-sponsored media outlets might become a little more balanced for fear… [Read Full Text]
Juhlman - whilst I agree with the sentiments expressed in your post, I am afraid that you have jumped the gun in so far as the practical effects of MDC's control of the parliament.
By means of numerous amendments to the Constitution of Zimbabwe almost all power has been devolved to the Ofiice of the President. Mugabe can appoint the Cabinet without reference to the Parliament and can rule by decree. Sure, the passage of the budget still requires approval by the parliament but Mugabe will carry on printing worthless money nevertheless with or without Parliament's approval; and at the… [Read Full Text]
Thanks Katz!
My point about the MDC-T is that Mugabe "NEEDS" their active participation in Parliament, regardless of how difficult they make it, in order to preserve at least the pretended outward appearance of Democracy.
The only club left in ZANU-PF/Mugabe's hands is to actually dissolve Parliament and rule by decree and incontrovertable violence against their own people. South Africa could not then pretend nothing was happening. SADC would be forced to intervene and might be compelled to improve the standing of MDC-T if the current course fails.
I'm not saying it would be easy, or pleasant, it… [Read Full Text]
What you say Juhlman is quite right, however, I think that the outcome for Zimbabwe is going to be decided by one factor alone and that this will happen very much sooner than 12 months.
That factor is the economy; which is only weeks away from collapsing.
When it does, two parties will be faced with some difficult questions. The first party is SADC who will need to decide if they are prepared to keep the lights on in Zimbabwe and continue supplying fuel even though Zimbabwe will have no hope of paying for these inputs. The second party is… [Read Full Text]
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Just as expected. The editor of The Herald must be Mugabe or some stooge of Mugabe. The writing is on the wall fools.