Zimbabwe

Parliament opens to boos, cheers and arrests

Article published on the 2008-08-26 Latest update 2008-08-26 15:35 TU

President Robert Mugabe arrives for the official opening of the Parliament in Harare
(Reuters)

President Robert Mugabe opened Zimababwe's parliament to cheering and singing from supporters outside but with a stormy reception in the chambers. The opposition MDC booed and chanted during the session and said three of its members had been arrested Tuesday in parliament.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, had initially said it would boycott Tuesday's official opening of parliament. MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the party wished to send the message that "dialogue is still underway".

The MDC MPs attended the opening. The party, however, delivered a petition to the parliament clerk complaining of "continued arrests and harassment of members of the MDC".

President Robert Mugabe was heckled during his official address, as MDC MPs chanted "Zanu is rotten", in reference to Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party. He had arrived earlier to much vocal support from supporters who sang "He is our father. He is our leader."

The MDC later said that three of its MPs had been arrested Tuesday at parliament. It said there were now four of its deputies in custody on what the party described as "trumped-up charges of political violence".

Nana Ampofo of Global Insight said the opposition was walking a fine line as they did not wish to "jettison the talks" that, until recently were mediated by South Africa's president Thabo Mbeki in an attempt to reach a powersharing arrangement between Mugabe and Tsvangirai.

Ampofo said there would be pressure in the southern Africa region for the MDC to take its seats when parliament reconvenes on October 14. The party will also wish to participate in parliament to implement its reforms, he explained.