MDC-T hecklers yesterday tore into First Lady Grace Mugabe’s controversially-awarded doctorate (PhD) and poked fun at her new academic status as she accompanied her husband President Robert Mugabe for the official opening of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament.
VENERANDA LANGA/WINSTONE ANTONIO
In contract they cheered Vice-President Joice Mujuru, who has borne the brunt of Grace’s severe attacks.
“Vapinda Gushungo na Doctor Amai (Mugabe and Doctor Mother have entred), how is the doctorate?” Glen North MP Fani Munengami (MDC-T) shouted as the nervous-looking Grace headed for her seat in the House.
Grace was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy degree by the University of Zimbabwe last month amid speculative reports that she did not study for the PhD.
Today, almost two months after she was capped by Mugabe, her thesis has not been posted on the University of Zimbabwe’s website as is the norm, although the doctorate dissertation by Mujuru, who graduated on the same day, has already been made public.
The heckling started well before the First Family’s arrival with MDC-T MPs referring to their Zanu PF counterparts as “Gamatox” and “weevils” in clear reference to the two distinct factions fighting for control of the ruling party who are disparagingly labelling each other in those terms.
Minister for Presidential Affairs in the President’s Office Didymus Mutasa and Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo, who sat on the opposition MPs’ bench after failing to secure seats on the Zanu PF side, were not spared the taunts.
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“Gamatox and weevils should not sit at places meant for the opposition,” MDC-T MPs continuously shouted in a bid to force the two Zanu PF legislators to go back to their side.
Even diplomatic efforts by Kuwadzana East MP Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T) to plead with Mutasa to leave the seats went unheeded as the Zanu PF pair remained firmly seated until the end of the opening ceremony.
However, MDC-T MPs cheered at Mujuru, shouting “Vice-President” in a manner which showed they were behind her despite Grace’s recent call for her to step down. Mujuru, who was seated right next to her alleged political arch-rival Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa during the proceedings, maintained her composure and both of them did not respond to the heckling by the opposition MPs.
The heckling and name-calling show went a gear up soon after Mugabe had left the House with opposition MPs shouting “Gamatox” to Zanu PF MPs who in turn shot back by singing Ndiyo Sungano (This is the covenant).
Zanu PF legislators later chanted “Gushungo, Gushungo (Mugabe’s clan name)”, prompting MDC-T MPs to counter with “Save, Save”, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s clan name.
There was more drama outside Parliament where Zanu PF supporters toyi-toyed and sang liberation war songs while members of the apostolic sect, who were clad in their white garments and shorts, sang Gabriel [Mugabe’s middle name] mutungamiriwe Zimbabwe tungamira (Gabriel leader of Zimbabwe keep on leading).
Some Zanu PF youths dressed in party regalia inscribed “Feel Mazoe Crush” also followed the proceedings from outside Africa Unity Square and were heard making sensational accusations at some members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police saying they were aligned to the opposition MDC-T after they were barred from getting near Parliament.
“We cannot be told what to do by sellouts, Gamatox,” the youths shouted at the police.
The supporters also chanted “Down with Gamatox!”
Opposition supporters were this year conspicuous by their absence as police maintained a heavy presence around Parliament Building.
