Opposition Politician Voted Parliament Speaker in Zimbabwe
(25 Aug 08 - RV) Zimbabwe's main opposition MDC today won the vote for parliament
speaker, dealing a blow to President Robert Mugabe in a post-election power struggle.
The Clerk of Parliament said the Movement for Democratic Change's Lovemore
Moyo had garnered 110 votes, winning one of the most powerful positions in Zimbabwean
politics.
Ahead of the vote two opposition politicians were arrested today
as they entered parliament to be sworn in. The MDC had warned that 15 of its MPs
would not attend the ceremony, as they were in hiding following a state-sponsored
campaign of violence.
Charles Collins spoke to Gunther Simmermacher is
the editor of the Southern Cross, the largest selling weekly Catholic newspaper in
South Africa.