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 BULAWAYO — Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his two deputies yesterday stayed away from President Robert Mugabe’s lavish 86th birthday party where the organisers splashed thousands of dollars on exotic food.
Mugabe’s actual birthday was last Sunday but Zanu PF’s communist styled 21st February Movement organised an all-night music gala on Friday and the feast yesterday.
Organisers estimated the budget at around US$500 000, which was spent on, among other things, bringing top Jamaican reggae artist, Sizzla and South Africa’s Soul Brothers as well as other goodies for the annual party.
The more than 5 000 guests who thronged the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Grounds were treated to expensive cuisine at Bulawayo’s hotels.
Sources at Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s office said invitations for the celebrations held amid concerns over looming starvation in Matabeleland arrived at his office on Friday.
But it appears there were no takers as it was only ministers from Zanu PF who turned up.
It had become routine before the formation of the unity government for ministers to attend the celebrations to show their loyalty to Mugabe.
MDC-T spokesperson, Nelson Chamisa said they did not attend because it was a “Zanu PF event, not a national event”.
“We only converge with Zanu PF at national events,” he said. “We should spend our energy on more useful things.”
Mugabe used the celebrations to defend the controversial new regulations to give locals majority shareholding in big corporations, which come into effect on March 1.
“I have to state it clearly that we are not nationalising foreign-owned companies,” he said.
“What we want is to broaden the ownership structures of these companies so as to also involve our own citizens.
“We do not need to force companies to follow the regulations. They should just follow them without coercion.”
He told the guests, mostly school children that he owed his long life to God and the security forces.
“Along the way to this day, there have been attempts on my life,” Mugabe said.
“Several people wanted my life. They tried the use of parcel bombs and other means, but they all missed me.
“I had vigilant people around me, the security forces, the Chimurenga allies and many others ensured my safety.”
Zanu PF has defended the extravagant parties it organises annually for Mugabe saying it is time to reflect on the contributions made by its long-serving leader.
Top South African poet Mziwakhe Mbuli was scheduled to take part at the event, but he pulled out in unclear circumstances.
The birthday gala at the ZITF was turned into a flesh-peddling market by sex workers.
The women said the bash had given them an opportunity to make “a killing”.
BY NKULULEKO SIBANDA
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