Not even the successive pleas by the co-chairpersons of the parliamentary select committee could silence the trouble-makers. Division along party lines was apparent from the onset, and delegates seated on opposite sides of the conference room
appeared to have been spoiling for a fight. Threatening advances, coupled with war-mongering songs and insults were the order of the day.
A meeting to guide the future or a dancehall brawl? Scenes of chaos from the constitution conference.
Particularly surprising was the fact that most of the advances were being made by
elderly women, who appeared to be from Zanu (PF) because they made fists while
sloganeering. The proceedings appeared to get on course when the Speaker of Parliament, Lovemore Moyo, and his team walked onto the podium at around 12 noon.
But as Austin Zvoma, the clerk of parliament, tried to navigate his way through the
programme, he was met by loud heckling from some delegates.
Delegates then forced through the singing of the national anthem, which appeared to have been left out of the official agenda. A group made up of youths, men and women, some of whom appeared drunk, walked into the conference centre auditorium as the Speaker was delivering his opening address.
Leading them were the Minister of Youth Development and Indigenisation and Zanu (PF) Youth Chairperson, Saviour Kasukuwere, war veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba and President Robert Mugabes nephew Patrick Zhuwawo. As this was happening, there was some movement among Zanu (PF) ministers and MPs.
First to walk out were the trio of Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Agriculture and
Mechanisation Minister Joseph Made and Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangangwa.
By then, the group of rowdy delegates was slowly advancing towards the high table where the constitutional select committee speakers were seated.
Mbiri yechigandanga ndombiri yatinayo, sang the Zanu (PF) delegates as they
approached. They threw water bottles at MDC MPs, journalists and other delegates, forcing the event to come to a halt. MDC councillor and Mashonaland Central province organising secretary Gilson Chitakunye sustained serious head injuries after he was assaulted. Even the beefing up of police details did not help the situation, as officers were being openly defied.