Tsvangirai takes oath as leader of government in Parliament

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai ready to lead Government business in Parliament tomorrow
By Tichaona Sibanda
3 March 2009

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was on Tuesday sworn in as a Member of Parliament, effectively making him the leader of government business in the House of Assembly.

The hour long swearing in ceremony was celebrated with much pomp and fanfare by parliamentarians from opposing sides. Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara..and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Gorden Moyo, were also sworn in at a ceremony presided over by the speaker of Parliament, Lovemore Moyo.

This was the last of the ceremonies under the Global Political Agreement that cements Tsvangirai’s position in the inclusive government. The first was his swearing in as the Prime Minister two weeks ago.

According to the agreement those appointed to the posts of Vice President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, and are not MP’s, become ex-officio members of the House of Assembly.

A statement released by the Prime Minister’s office said Tsvangirai would deliver his maiden speech in Parliament on Wednesday. It’s expected he will use this opportunity to outline government plans for the coming year. MDC MP for Makoni central John Nyamande, told us there was euphoria and excitement in the House of Assembly as the MDC President took the oath of parliament.

Interestingly, Johannes Tomana, the ZANU PF appointed attorney general was also sworn as an ex-officio member of parliament. The swearing in of Tomana also buttresses his position in the government following several protests from the MDC that his appointment was done against the spirit of the GPA.

The MDC want his appointment reversed, together with that of Gideon Gono, the Reserve Bank Governor.

‘Tomana had a day to forget in parliament. MPs from ZANU PF just gave him a cold shoulder while those from the MDC jeered and booed when he took his oath. You could see he was uncomfortable during the ceremony while Tsvangirai and Mutambara were upbeat,’ according to Nyamande.

Tomana is apparently very unpopular in ZANU PF and government circles.


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