#mugabe speech

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Robert Mugabe

Robert Mugabe Robert Mugabe Mugabe on a visit to Moscow in May 2015   President of Zimbabwe Incumbent Assumed office 22 December 1987 Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai (2009–2013) Vice President Joshua Nkomo (1987–1999) Simon Muzenda (1987–2003) Joseph Msika (1999–2009) Joice Mujuru (2004–2014) John Nkomo (2009–2013) Emmerson Mnangagwa (2014–present) Phelekezela Mphoko (201…

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Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe reads wrong speech, opponents question his fitness

MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters, September 16, 2015

Harare: Zimbabwe’s 91-year-old President Robert Mugabe read out the wrong speech at the opening of parliament on Tuesday, an error which the main opposition quickly used to question whether Africa’s oldest leader was still of a sound mind.

Mugabe, the only ruler the southern African nation has known since it was recognised in 1980, delivered the same speech he gave on August 25, pinning his hopes on China to help revive Zimbabwe’s struggling economy.

Mugabe finished the speech without interruption and his spokesman blamed officials, adding the president would read the correct speech at a later date.

But the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which is critical of Mugabe’s long rule, said the blunder called into question his fitness to hold office.

“This is a historic blunder. Anyone who is still of a sound mind would have quickly picked it up that the speech was the wrong one,” MDC spokesman Obert Gutu said.

“But it dovetails with what we in the MDC have been saying that Robert Mugabe is no longer fit for purpose. He should resign,” Gutu said.

During the speech, the MDC members sat quietly, while ruling ZANU-PF party supporters clapped at regular intervals.