Parliament opening - Live update

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Phakamisani iFlag yethu yeZimbabwe!... Singing of the National Anthem


President and Dr Amai, accompanied by Service Chiefs, have left Parliament.

Mugabe declares the 2nd session of the Eighth Parliament open!

"We indeed stand opposed to the unilateralism of other nations…we also continue to relentlessly demand the total removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on the country."

He also says that water and sanitation upgrading programme will also be rolled out to other urban centres.

The president says the E-Learning programme will be introduced at all school levels.

"..our efforts to support the ministry's recovery will be boosted by $89 million loan concluded with the ChinaExim Bank for the procurement of ambulances, medicines." he says

Mugabe says the "economic meltdown… has severely weakened the health service delivery system"

"It is depressing that some of our people have turned into mere fronts..defeating the efforts of our indigenisation programmes."

Efforts are being made to boost tourist arrivals in other source markets like Brazil, China. Poor transport infrastructure has been a drawback…the upgrading of the Plumtree-Mutare highway

"upgrades at Vic Falls are progressing well"

"Govt working on measures to ease the cost of doing business locally"

"Informal miners will be closely supervised..in order to minimise leakages of minerals"

"Work on the establishment of Zimbabwe Diamond Bourse is already in progress."

"Global trends point to the growing involvement of the private sector in the provision of infrastructural projects, a joint bill will be tabled in this session of Parliament in line with Zim Asset."

Mugabe addressing Parliament: Zimbabweans could have been prejudiced of the money in the change over from Zim dollar to US dollars. Government will put a Commission to look at the methods used to change.

"Gamatox inourayisa" , "Pasi nevano pandukira President Mugabe"... Africa Unity Square break into song

President Mugabe is led into Parliament building Sergeant at Arms.

Mugabe arrives at the Parliament

The clock has been adjusted now we are good to go...

Please note that our clock is 1hr behind

The moment President Mugabe and Dr Amai arrived at the State Hse

Troubled Vice President, Joice Mujuru has arrived at Parliament building.

Chiefs from various parts of the country are arriving...

Hundreds of people are gathered outside parliament building. Members of various apostolic sects are singing from one corner while Zanu PF youths sing from another.

Some Ministers have arrived:

Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, Deputy Housing Minister Joe Biggie Matiza, Foreign Affairs Minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, Senior Minister, Simon Khaya Moyo, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Cde Didymus Mutasa, Deputy Minister of Information, Supa Mandiwanzira, Minister of Defence, Sydney Sekeramayi

Augustine Chihuri has also arrived.

Mugabe and wife Dr Grace Mugabe have have reported arrived at State House and they will be leaving for Parliament shortly.

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