MDC Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday attempted
to overshadow the late national hero Oliver Mtukudzi’s send-off at the National
Sports Stadium as he came face-to-face with protocol after being barred to
enter the venue with his motorcade.
This is not the first time that he has tried choreographed
antics in a bid to be melodramatic at funerals. Last year, he forced himself
into proceedings during the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s
funeral despite the late politician’s mother having declared that he was not
welcome.
Last week, Mr Chamisa turned the funeral of a Chitungwiza
man who died during the recent violent demonstrations into a political rally
having ambushed mourners ahead of burial. But yesterday he came face-to-face
with the realities of following protocol. Security details manning the entrance
at the National Sports Stadium barred Mr Chamisa’s entourage from entering the
venue after an attempt to force its way through.
Mr Chamisa and his security details had a standoff with
security agents, after his team was asked to use the reserved VIP entrance and
parking their vehicles before walking into the stadium. Mr Chamisa’s team tried
to resist but eventually capitulated, before leaving.
Mr Chamisa’s media team tried to put a spin to the incident
alleging that security agents at the gates were instructed to prevent the
opposition leader from entering the venue. Responding to the incident via
microblogging site twitter, Media, Information and Broadcasting Services
permanent secretary Mr Nick Mangwana said: “Let us not be consumed with
pathetic narcism. This weekend is all about Tuku. It’s amoral to be so
self-consumed to the extent of trying to overshadow a deceased superstar on his
own final journey and swansong. This is not the first time someone has
disrespected a funeral.”
Organisers of the concert, the Zimbabwe Music and Arts
Promoters’ Association said only vehicles in the funeral procession and service
providers were allowed into the stadium, adding other MDC officials like
Douglas Mwonzora and James Maridadi got in without incident. Sunday Mail
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