WHILE President Robert Mugabe made his hour-long opening speech at the Zanu PF Central Committee meeting held at the party’s headquarters yesterday, some delegates- several of them senior officials- could not help doze off.
All Pictures by Cynthia R Matonhodze Report by Tapiwa Zivira
Within the first five minutes of the speech, dozens of weary looking delegates who had waited since morning for Mugabe’s arrival could be seen drifting into slumber.
The majority of the over 2000 delegates, including senior politburo members had arrived at around 10 am as the event was said to be starting at 11 am, but they had to wait until about 1 pm when the president moved to the conference room to officiate the proceedings.
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Several delegates, especially those from outside Harare, had already started complaining about hunger since they had travelled to Harare early morning.
The sleeping delegates were constantly interrupted by occasional applause from those who were attentive.
The peak arrived when Mugabe asked the party’s secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa to read the full list of the Zanu PF cadres who had passed on.
At first Mutasa just mentioned the number, but Mugabe insisted on having the full list read out. Mutasa spent nearly 20 minutes reading out names and that appeared to have drove more delegates into sleep.
Ironically, President Mugabe in his speech spoke about a vigorous campaign for a resounding victory.
