When it comes to political rhetoric, no one can top the un-filtered awesomeness of 89-year-old Robert "we are delivering democracy on a platter" Mugabe. Following his 61% of the vote winning election at the end of July, Sky News reports [2] that Mugabe's first public speech was full of his typically defiant pith. He dismissed his defeated "western-sponsored stooge" rivals as "pathetic puppets" that can "go hang," adding a particularly downbeat assessment that "if they die, not even dogs will sniff them." Mr. Tsangviri - the dog-despised opposition - is challenging the poll vowing to expose "glaring evidence of the stolen vote," as the renewed leader celebrates Heroes Day - the end of white minority rule (pledging that Zimbabwe will never be a colony of Britain) and ironically for the hyperinflater, Mugabe stated that he will " Never give thieves the power to rule."
Via Sky News, [2]
Robert Mugabe has told his opponents to "go hang" themselves in his first public speech since winning Zimbabwe's disputed presidential election.
The 89-year-old gave the defiant speech after his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai lodged a petition in court challenging the election outcome.
But Mr Mugabe dismissed his defeated rivals as "pathetic puppets" and "Western-sponsored stooges".
"Those who were hurt by defeat can go hang if they so wish," Mr Mugabe told thousands of supporters at a rally in Harare.
"If they die, even dogs will not sniff at their corpses.
...
"We are delivering democracy on a platter. We say take it or leave it, but the people have delivered democracy," Mr Mugabe said.
Mr Tsvangirai meanwhile vowed to expose "glaring evidence of the stolen vote" through a court bid.
His lawyers filed a petition on Friday at the Constitutional Court challenging the poll, which extended Mr Mugabe's 33-year rule by another five years.
...
"They are now looking for excuses claiming they were robbed," Mr Mugabe said.
"How can a robber claim he was robbed?
"We found we were dining with and sharing our bed with thieves. We will never give thieves the power to rule."
The rally was held to mark Heroes Day, an annual celebration of those who fought to liberate Zimbabwe from white minority rule.
Mr Mugabe repeated his rhetoric that Zimbabwe will never be a colony of Britain and her allies pledging to review salaries of government workers.
Local observers have called the polls flawed and Western powers have raised serious doubts over the vote.
However, regional organisations the African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) were less critical.