This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7583128.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Fuming Mugabe rattled by hecklers | Fuming Mugabe rattled by hecklers |
(about 5 hours later) | |
By Brian Hungwe Harare | By Brian Hungwe Harare |
Loud jeers and howls accompanied President Robert Mugabe's address to Zimbabwe's newly convened parliament, leaving ruling party members fuming. | |
Such uncouth behaviour from the opposition, one Zanu-PF insider said, was uncalled for. | Such uncouth behaviour from the opposition, one Zanu-PF insider said, was uncalled for. |
But after gaining control of parliament, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) clearly wanted to make its mark. | But after gaining control of parliament, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) clearly wanted to make its mark. |
The opening of parliament had started with the usual pomp and ceremony. | The opening of parliament had started with the usual pomp and ceremony. |
We are together in the struggle, no amount of beatings and killings will deter us MDC MPs' chant In pictures: Zimbabwe parliament | We are together in the struggle, no amount of beatings and killings will deter us MDC MPs' chant In pictures: Zimbabwe parliament |
Mr Mugabe drove to the house in an open Rolls Royce, accompanied by horse-mounted police. | Mr Mugabe drove to the house in an open Rolls Royce, accompanied by horse-mounted police. |
Singing party supporters, bussed in to give the occasion colour, welcomed him as the car drew in. | Singing party supporters, bussed in to give the occasion colour, welcomed him as the car drew in. |
The elite presidential guard stood to attention for their commander-in-chief. | The elite presidential guard stood to attention for their commander-in-chief. |
The most-decorated military generals followed behind him as he inspected the guard, resplendent in their military gear, who promised to salute him till death. | The most-decorated military generals followed behind him as he inspected the guard, resplendent in their military gear, who promised to salute him till death. |
Inside parliament, it was a different story. | Inside parliament, it was a different story. |
Lacking Grace | Lacking Grace |
As Mr Mugabe sauntered into the building, a green stately cloth across his shoulders, his Zanu-PF legislators to the left of the house stood up as a mark of respect for their head of state, their party leader. | As Mr Mugabe sauntered into the building, a green stately cloth across his shoulders, his Zanu-PF legislators to the left of the house stood up as a mark of respect for their head of state, their party leader. |
Military generals, then judges in their colonial red gowns and pink wigs, followed closely behind. | Military generals, then judges in their colonial red gowns and pink wigs, followed closely behind. |
But what must have staggered Mr Mugabe was that the MDC MPs remained seated. | But what must have staggered Mr Mugabe was that the MDC MPs remained seated. |
Robert Mugabe opened parliament amid ceremonial pomp | Robert Mugabe opened parliament amid ceremonial pomp |
The president walked assertively past them, but he must have known then that he was in deep trouble. | The president walked assertively past them, but he must have known then that he was in deep trouble. |
This had never happened before to the 84-year-old leader. | This had never happened before to the 84-year-old leader. |
Perhaps it was an inkling that the usual deference might be lacking that his wife Grace was not in attendance. | Perhaps it was an inkling that the usual deference might be lacking that his wife Grace was not in attendance. |
Half way through his speech, in which he praised South African President Thabo Mbeki for facilitating dialogue with the MDC and attacked rampant inflation, murmurs of discontent began to surface. | Half way through his speech, in which he praised South African President Thabo Mbeki for facilitating dialogue with the MDC and attacked rampant inflation, murmurs of discontent began to surface. |
These jeers grew louder, leaving Zanu-PF MPs stunned. | These jeers grew louder, leaving Zanu-PF MPs stunned. |
"You killed people, we know that," a yell came from the MDC backbench. | "You killed people, we know that," a yell came from the MDC backbench. |
'You are murderers' | 'You are murderers' |
In a crowd of more 200 legislators, it was hard to pinpoint the culprit. | In a crowd of more 200 legislators, it was hard to pinpoint the culprit. |
"Yes, you are murderers," another echoed, in Shona. | "Yes, you are murderers," another echoed, in Shona. |
Mr Mugabe then touched on the subject of sanctions. | Mr Mugabe then touched on the subject of sanctions. |
"Surely sanctions cannot be good for any Zimbabwean and we have abundant evidence of their ravaging impact. We cannot condone such blatant spiteful injury," he said. | "Surely sanctions cannot be good for any Zimbabwean and we have abundant evidence of their ravaging impact. We cannot condone such blatant spiteful injury," he said. |
But the MDC struck again. | But the MDC struck again. |
MDC supporters were in combative form throughout the proceedings | MDC supporters were in combative form throughout the proceedings |
"Zanu-PF is rotting," the legislators chanted for a good three minutes. | "Zanu-PF is rotting," the legislators chanted for a good three minutes. |
As Mr Mugabe raised the issue of the economic crisis, the opposition erupted into another song. | As Mr Mugabe raised the issue of the economic crisis, the opposition erupted into another song. |
"We are together in the struggle, no amount of beatings and killings will deter us," they sang. | "We are together in the struggle, no amount of beatings and killings will deter us," they sang. |
At some point Mr Mugabe raised his head, face shaken, and then proceeded with his speech. | At some point Mr Mugabe raised his head, face shaken, and then proceeded with his speech. |
Some minutes later, however, he accidentally knocked down the microphone. | Some minutes later, however, he accidentally knocked down the microphone. |
It was certainly not the Zimbabwean octogenarian's usual performance. | It was certainly not the Zimbabwean octogenarian's usual performance. |
He may have raised his fist as he walked out of parliament to diplomats and businessmen monitoring proceedings from the television sets outside parliament. | He may have raised his fist as he walked out of parliament to diplomats and businessmen monitoring proceedings from the television sets outside parliament. |
But his body language told a story of a leader who no longer quite has his grip on power. | But his body language told a story of a leader who no longer quite has his grip on power. |
Previous version
1
Next version