If only he were sincere!
This week's issues
| Bling and splendour at opening of parliament |
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| Written by Gift Phiri |
| Tuesday, 06 October 2009 14:23 |
 HARARE - A military parade accompanied with enormous bling and splendour of a royal celebration brightened the gray of austere Harare Tuesday as centruries old British pageantry once more opened Zimbabwe's Parliament. (Pictured: Robert Mugabe)The State opening of Parliament was a glittering ceremony when all the pomp, fanfair, pageantry and majesty of colonial power Britain's ancient royal and parliamentary traditions came together in full splendour. Hundreds of Zimbabweans packed Africa Unity Square to see or deride President Mugabe and his wife drive in State to inaugurate the second session of Zimbabwe's 7th Parliament. In spotless green uniforms, 200 soldiers from the elite presidential guard paraded outside Parliament while the sound of horses’ hooves heralded the arrival of Mugabe. Escorted by 32 mounted policemen, dressed in the 1890 uniform of the British South Africa Police, complete with white pith helmets, the president came into view in a ceremony beamed live on State television. A regal Mugabe and his wife, resplendent in a blue outfit, was riding in the gleaming Rolls Royce once used by Lord Soames, the last governor of Rhodesia. As he mounted the saluting dais and the national anthem was played, a chorus of jeering and salutes began. A sea of red cards appeared directly in front of Mugabe and roars of "Chinja" – the MDC slogan for change – drowned the efforts of the military band. Mugabe's supporters responded with cries of support, chanting "Gushungo, Gushungo" but were easily outnumbered by joyful MDC activists. Only a flypast from four MiG jets silenced the raucous whistles and cries. Looking inscrutable, Mugabe retreated inside Parliament and took his seat on the Speaker’s chair, facing opponents outnumbering his deputies . As Mugabe sauntered into the building, a green stately cloth across his shoulders, both MDC and Zanu (PF) legislators stood up as a mark of respect. Bemedalled military generals, then judges in their colonial red gowns and pink wigs, followed closely behind. Mugabe made the customary opening speech to a joint sitting of both Houses, outlining the government’s legislative agenda for the new session, and intimating that the session was crucial as it was the first after formation of an inclusive government with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara. Mugabe said the Constitution-making process, which has hit snag over funding shorfall, was "work-in-progress." He said government was moving to estabish four commissions provided for under Constitutional Amendment Number 19 that established the country’s inclusive government, namely the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), the Independent Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (IZEC), the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC). Selection of candidates by a special parliamentary committee to sit on two new commissions that will oversee the country’s media and run elections, has been mired in controversy after President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) party protested against the selection process after several of its allies failed to make it to the final list of nominees. The major legislative highlights in this Parliamentary session will be the introduction of the Reserve Bank Amendment Bill which provides for major amendments to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act, principally to bring the powers of governor Gideon Gono under the control of the RBZ’s Board, to clarify the functions of the central bank and to require the bank to increase its reserves. Mugabe said the government would weigh the mining sector reform law. Other key bills are the Finance (No. 2) Bill and the Appropriation (Supplementary) Bill, the Labour Amendment Bill set to give full labour rights to public servants, including the right to strike, the Elderly Persons Bill and the Information Communication Technology Bill. However, there is no plan to amend the repressive Access to Infomation and Protection of Privavcy Act, AIPPA and the Public Order and Security Act, POSA even though reforming these two key legislation is mentioned in the global political agreement and in the economic blueprint, STERP. |
Weather from Harare - Partly Cloudy
16°C
Wind: 10 kph SE
Humidity: 94%
Sunrise: 5:58 am
Sunset: 6:10 pm
Tue - Scattered Thunderstorms
Hi: 26°C
Low: 18°C
Low: 18°C
Wed - Scattered Thunderstorms
Hi: 28°C
Low: 19°C
Low: 19°C
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