Mugabe staying, keeping wealth

Robert Mugabe and his family are set to remain in Zimbabwe under a deal with the ruling party that will see them retreat from politics in exchange for secure retirement, diplomatic and political sources in Harare said.

Mugabe, 93, resigned following a military coup and an outpouring of public anger at economic mismanagement, corruption, and political violence during nearly four decades under his rule.

During celebrations in Harare following his resignation, one man told the Daily Telegraph he would like to see the former President “in leg irons”.

But in a possible indication of plans to rehabilitate the ousted President, posters were put up in Harare yesterday with the slogan “let Mugabe rest now”.

Mugabe and his family may also be allowed to retain control of their assets, including the “Blue Roof”, the vast luxury Harare mansion where Mugabe and Grace Mugabe, the former first lady, spent the past week under house arrest.

It is unclear whether there would be any investigation into how Grace Mugabe amassed her vast wealth believed to include the largest land and real estate portfolio owned by anyone in Zimbabwean history.

Welshman Ncube, an opposition leader said: “Given the vitriol and hatred towards Grace Mugabe, I suspect she will move in and out but spend more time out of Zimbabwe”.

Other allies of Grace Mugabe have already fled the country.

They include Phelekezela Mphoko, Zimbabwe’s second vicepresident; Savior Kasukuwere, local government minister; and Jonathan Moyo, an education minister.