Election issue sidestepped in Mugabe speech
By Violet Gonda
20 December 2006

Zimbabweans have talked of nothing but the prospect of another two years under Robert Mugabe for the last few weeks. This was after the state media revealed that ZANU PF intended to harmonise the presidential and parliamentary election and extend Mugabe’s term. It was expected that Mugabe himself would touch on this crucial issue in his State of the Nation address in parliament Wednesday but our correspondent Simon Muchemwa, who listened on state television, said it was the usual rhetoric without substance.

Muchemwa said; “Unfortunately he did not say anything regarding elections. Actually anything that people were expecting, issues of bread and butter, he never talked about.”

During the session of both Houses of Parliament which was boycotted by the Tsvangirai MDC, Mugabe made what has now been termed his usual rant when he attacked the British and the opposition. Muchemwa said; “We knew that Mugabe was not going to conclude his speech without even castigating Britain and Tony Blair and that’s what he did today when he said Blair was assisting MDC with tactics for regime change in Zimbabwe.”

It’s reported the 82 year old leader warned; “While the country respects and affords everyone the right of assembly and association, the use of such platforms as tools to advance the British-inspired regime change agenda cannot be tolerated."

The economic crisis – with an inflationary rate of over 1000% is largely blamed on mismanagement, bad policies and corruption. But Mugabe said the economy is on the road to recovery despite ‘targeted’ sanction imposed by Western governments.

He touched on a number of issues during his State of the Nation Address including his Look East Policy, corruption and the health situation. He accepted that the brain drain had affected the health system and that the government would embark on a retention programme to bond medical practitioners.

Nelson Chamisa, spokesman for the Tsvangirai MDC said all their MPs boycotted Mugabe’s address because there is no need to listen to lies. He said the MDC is opposed to Mugabe’s management of the country and the intended postponement of elections. He added: “Mugabe himself is least qualified to speak about the state of the nation. He needs to go Mufakose and to Tsholotsho where Zimbabweans can tell him what the country is like under his rule.”