Government yesterday took a swipe at some members of the
opposition who criticised MDC-T leader Dr Thokozani Khupe for attending
President Mnangagwa’s inauguration at the National Sports Stadium. Dr Khupe and
her deputy, Mr Obert Gutu, drew brickbats from opposition members principally
MDC-Alliance sympathisers who accused her of being a “sellout”.
The MDC-Alliance sympathisers vented their anger on social
media where they used language laden with hate to lambast Dr Khupe.
MDC-Alliance is led by Mr Nelson Chamisa, who suffered a
double defeat at the hands of President Mnangagwa first in the July 30
presidential race and in the court challenge he mounted against the winning
candidate at the Constitutional Court.B
Being a national event, President Mnangagwa invited
everyone including all the presidential candidates who participated in the July
30 harmonised elections.
As one of the candidates in the presidential race, Dr Khupe
honoured the invitation and was cheered by the thousands of people who attended
the colourful event.
Speaking to The Herald, Secretary for Information, Media
and Broadcasting Services Mr George Charamba said the real story lay with those
who chose not to attend a national event which was the product of a democratic
election process endorsed by the Constitutional Court, which the last court of
appeal in the land.
“November 24, 2017, the late MDC-T leader Mr Morgan
Tsvangirai attended President Mnangagwa’s inauguration and on 18 April 2018
MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa attended proceedings of the Independence
Day celebrations,” he said.
“Now, does that not harken to the proverbial cheetah which
delights in dragging another through mud but gets upset when its turn comes?
This is a national event which is rooted in popular will and reinforced by the
highest court of the land. What can be more legitimate and more fitting than to
grace such an occasion? I think the real story is in those that didn’t come.”
Other opposition members who attended the inauguration
include former Mabvuku legislator Mr James Maridadi and former Bulawayo Member
of Parliament Mr Eddie Cross.
Yesterday’s inauguration ceremony was held in strict
adherence to the Constitution, which stipulates that in the event of a court
challenge the winner must be sworn into office no later than 48 hours after the
court’s ruling.
Preparations for the inauguration were already in motion
soon after the Presidential election results were announced but were suspended
as soon as Mr Chamisa launched his court application.
President Mnangagwa’s inauguration also drew the attendance
of several African Heads of State and Government led by African Union
chairperson President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, special envoys from various
regions of the world and other dignitaries. Herald
0 comments:
Post a Comment