Zimbabwe: Mugabe Humiliated Amid Colonial Pomp
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Business Day (Johannesburg)
27 August 2008
Posted to the web 27 August 2008
Dumisani Muleya
Johannesburg
EMBATTLED Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe suffered more humiliation yesterday when opposition MPs jeered him and challenged his legitimacy at the opening of parliament.
Heckling of Mugabe by opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) MPs, a day after they defeated his Zanu (PF) in the election for a house of assembly speaker, provided the clearest evidence yet of the decline of his rule and influence.
The MDC, buoyed by their show of strength, also appeared to be gaining ground as Mugabe did not name a new cabinet, a move they are strongly opposed to if he does so outside the parameters of power-sharing negotiations.
And while Mugabe adopted an uncharacteristically conciliatory tone in parliament, saying talks would continue, the police were arresting and intimidating MDC MPs. Broadwin Nyaude and Mathias Mlambo were detained yesterday, and on Monday Pearson Mungofa and Eliah Jembere were arrested.
While he took the opportunity to castigate Britain, Mugabe's opening ceremony resembled nothing more closely than that of Zimbabwe's former colonial master. Proceedings included marching bands in dress uniform and a cavalcade with him riding to parliament in the same Rolls-Royce used by Britain's governor-general in the former Rhodesian colony.
Opposition MPs refused to acknowledge Mugabe as president when he entered the house, and walked out saying he was the "president of Zanu (PF)" and not Zimbabwe.
Some taunted him as "dictator" and "tyrant", saying he had no political legitimacy as president after securing re-election in June through violence.
His speech was drowned by thunderous boos from MDC MPs who taunted him in song with the words: "Zanu (PF) is rotten, it's disintegrating."
Looking disoriented, he ploughed defiantly through his speech, which the MDC MPs refused to listen to. Efforts by Zanu (PF) MPs to cheer Mugabe on failed as they were overwhelmed by MDC jeers.
Mugabe's address was broadcast on state television and radio. Despite his public humiliation, Mugabe remained conciliatory on interparty talks, and said there was "every expectation" of a power-sharing deal with the two MDC factions.
"Landmark agreements have been concluded, with every expectation that everyone will sign up," Mugabe said, suggesting the main MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, should sign an agreement on power sharing.
Talks stalled after Tsvangirai refused to sign the agreement, saying he needed it to specify he would be head of government.
Mugabe refused, claiming this would render him a ceremonial president.
Mugabe's peace-making remarks and call for agreement followed the collapse of his plan on Monday to work with the smaller MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara to gain a working majority in parliament.
While Mugabe said he expected a power-sharing deal with the MDC, opposition legislators said they did not need an agreement with him because "we have a pact with the people".
The MDC said later it was still committed to the talks brokered by President Thabo Mbeki.
In a petition, MDC MPs and senators objected to the opening of parliament, saying it was contrary to the framework for dialogue. It was a breach of the memorandum of understanding guiding negotiations.
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They said the appointment of provincial governors and senators to the senate also sabotaged the talks.
Read comments. Write your own.
I am so glad and thankful that at last, people have seen and realised who real ZANU is and who real MUGABE is. During the 80's when the NDEBELE people were killed by the ZANU PF PARTY MILITIA most of the people were applausing saying WURAYA KA MNDEBERE least did they know that KAMUNDEBERE is also a ZIMBABWEAN who has a right to live and freedom of expression like any other. When the FATHER ZIMBABWE bought the farms that were stolen by Mugabe, the aim was to re-distribute the land and re-settle the people of Zimbabwe.
That's a… [Read Full Text]
Just a question: Don't duly sworn MPs have immunity from arrest and prosecution? I'm not Zimbabwean, but I'd like to know.
They make it up as they along.Thats Africa's law
Oh Mugabe! What a British style circus show did you put on! Total Hypocrisy? Anti-West?? No way!! How much does he like to wear his Western style tie!! How much does he appreciate riding on to a West-built Rolls Royce!! Only Dis-Grace is missing shopping at Harrods!
The chinese must be upset at this affront from lunatic Mugabe! They also have built limousines which they would have been so proud to lend the criminal.
The chinese spokesperson in Botswana has let it be known that his government would not interfere in the internal affairs of Zimbabwe leaving the 3 parties… [Read Full Text]
Eorcentric Mugabe.Always trying to outdoor the British at being British. " I respect the queen, its the demons at 10 Downing Street I have a problem with"...The demons at 10 Downing Street are known as Her Majesty's Government. Colonisation was carried out in the name of Queen and Country. Keep exposing yourself
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]
the business of running the country cannot afford to wait whilst many go hungry??? Who got us into this mess in the first place fool?? MDC??? NO!!! mugabarge and his zanupf goons! please take and try get your mugabe love story published elsewhere...there are enough of them idiots here for us to bear at the moment without you adding to our boredom!!
11.2% MILLION inflation (according to "official" estimates)! 80% unemploment! 35% (soon to be 40%) of the polulation living in diaspora!
What more does ANYONE have to say about the stewardship of the economy of Zimbabwe? How much better performance should the people of Zimbabwe expect from their leaders? Whatever the cause (Western or not!) the people of Zimbabwe have a right to a better management of affairs, don't they?
Give MDC-T a try............. If they do not perform as promised, you have a chance to vote them out?
The Communist Mannifesto" at least told the… [Read Full Text]
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When will this murder come dictator just DIE or fade away, he has had his chance and screwed it up. Let a new Zimbabwe come out from all of this without any links with any of the murders in Mugabe's clan having anything to do with it.