Zimbabwe muzzle delay

Zimbabwe’s parliament unexpectedly went into recess today within minutes of convening to debate sweeping media curbs proposed by the ruling party.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, the ruling party’s leader in the house, gave no reason for the adjournment, but said Parliament would reconvene tomorrow.

The move came amid reports the media bill was criticised as too draconian even by ruling party stalwarts. The bill would limit the number of foreign correspondents in the country and would require local journalists to be licensed ahead of presidential elections in March.

After a storm of international outrage over the bill and other legislation intended to crack down on the opposition, Chinamasa announced last week that recommendations had been made to alter the legislation.

The increasingly unpopular President Robert Mugabe, 77, is seen as using the parliamentary bills as part of his plan to cling to power after almost 22 years in office.

He faces his sternest test so far against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the increasingly bitter presidential elections