Mutambara MDC spokesman attends Mugabe inauguration

The party reacted furiously to his presence at state

house, which occurred despite a common position adopted to boycott the sham

exercise. In an interview with Newsreel on Monday Chaibva confirmed he

attended the ceremony but refused to explain why. ‘I am waiting for all the

criticism to come in and allow myself time to absorb it before I give a

comprehensive response,’ Chaibva said. Pressed on whether he attended just

in his individual capacity the former legislator said he would issue a

statement on Tuesday. 

Chaibva however is quoted as telling ZBC Newsnet, ‘I know there will be

criticism because I attended this ceremony. But in times like this it is

crucial to put the past behind us and show the spirit of constructive

engagement and dialogue as the only way forward. Victory is sweet and defeat

is bitter, but as leaders we must learn to accept both and work for the good

of the people. So in a small way, we are sending our message that it is time

for a new spirit to govern the manner in which we engage each other,’ he

said. 

Reports indicate that Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa extended an

invitation to Mutambara MDC officials Welshman Ncube, Paul Themba Nyathi,

Priscilla Misihairambwi Mushonga, Fletcher Dulini-Ncube and Gibson Sibanda.

Misihairambwi told journalists they turned down the offer, describing

Mugabe’s election victory a ‘fraud.’ A similar invite was extended to

Tsvangirai’s MDC, but the party also turned it down. Why the Mutambara MDC

spokesman attended remains a mystery, but the move will not have helped

quell speculation that Mugabe will be trying to pacify members of the party

with positions in a new government. 

Newsreel sought comment from party leader Arthur Mutambara, who said he was

locked in meetings the whole day and would only be available for interviews

Tuesday. Job Sikhala the former MP for St Mary’s, reacted furiously to some

reports that implied he was also at state house on Sunday. He told Newsreel

he was in Mozambique on the day and ‘certain mischievous’ elements in the

media were trying to tarnish his name. Reacting to Chaibva’s attendance

Sikhala said Chaibva was an adult who could make his own decisions about

where to go. He did however concede it was a mistake for Chaibva to have

attended Mugabe’s inauguration, and that the party would soon meet to

deliberate on the matter.

SWRadio Africa