Business Day (Johannesburg)
Dumisani Muleya
27 August 2008
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.
They said the appointment of provincial governors and senators to the senate also sabotaged the talks.
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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 long story, but what I want to say is that 'I am so greatiful that ZIMBABWEANS have now realised that they have been fool by a tyrant who wanted to satisfy his egos and of his croenies. Presidence rather leadership is not about being a SHONA or NDEBELE but is about someone of sound mind with sound political and economic policies that will ellevet tribalism and unemployment as well as homeless and poverty and bring socio-economy balance in the country.
Thanks to those heroes (MDC MPs) who did not want to be in a gravy train but had a mandete from the people and had stod up for the 'WILL OF THE NATION', WELL DONE AND KEEP IT UP. REMEMBER POSITION CORRUPTS SO DON'T STAY LONG EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT NECESSARY! WELL DONE 'MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE MPS'
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 to talk through an agreement. As hypocritical as Mugabe! Why did the chinese sent him arms then? For decorum purposes?
Anyway the 2 MDCs will not join any cabinet without executive power going to MDC-T.
Mugabe's friendship with the chinese? Oh! It's only skin-deep. He is also longing to seek rehabilitation with the West! Witness the grandiose ceremony with Westminister style pomp!!
Only his fans are stupid! But even their numbers are dwindling fast. Mugabe has declared war on those owning businesses and, who at the same time, are holding to a paid job in public institutions. What will judges do then? Return their 4-wheel vehicles or just retire from the judiciary to make fast bucks in the private sector propped up by vasl illegal trade of basic commodities smuggled across the borders? 4-wheel vehicles can be very convenient, isn't it?
Is it that Mugabe and the RBZ did not know for what purpose the 4-wheel vehicles are used for? Lunatic Mugabe was also astounded and angry to see the vast number of latest models of numerous cars on the streets of Harare. The owners are his very fans.
Now we understand why Mugabe fans continue to praise the dictator! Unfortunately their days are also counted. Who will then back Mugabe, the illegitimate President?
God only knows how the God-annoited tyrant would end up finally. Even the stupid Oxford educated professor Mutambara cannot come to his rescue despite being offered the PM post!
Watch out! The coming days may give us a clue!
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 realised that the power no longer lies in the West but in the people of his country’s hands. The world has changed and the leaders of other African countries would do well to note this. Particularly the corrupt ones whose democracy and human rights record are much more absurd in comparison to what we have seen in Zimbabwe.
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!!
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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.