Zanu-PF ‘didn’t forewarn ANC of coup’

The ANC was startled by the military coup in Zimbabwe that saw Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule end, secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said yesterday.

There were no discussions or alerts between Zimbabwe’s ZanuPF and the ANC regarding Mugabe’s removal.

“We didn’t know what was happening … anyone who thought someone whispered in our ears telling us that Mugabe was going to be removed must know that no such a thing took place,” Mantashe said in Johannesburg.

“We were taken aback … but we had been watching developments within Zanu-PF from the time [former Mugabe deputy] Joyce Mujuru was kicked out.

“There were a series of events in Zanu-PF that worried us, but we had no control over that because it is a sister party.”

Mugabe’s firing of then deputy president Emmerson Mnangagwa also took the ruling party by surprise, he added.

South African President Jacob Zuma yesterday met Mnangagwa in Pretoria.

Mnangagwa left Zimbabwe following his sacking earlier this month and returned to Harare yesterday.

The 75-year-old has been nominated by Zanu-PF to take over the presidency and is expected to be sworn in tomorrow.

Speaker of parliament Jacob Mudenda announced Mugabe’s resignation on Tuesday when the two houses of parliament — upper and lower — were seated in Harare International Conference Centre in the process of passing a motion to impeach Mugabe.

He said he had received a letter from the 93-year-old, bringing the planned impeachment process to halt.

Mugabe had been president of Zimbabwe since the country became independent in 1980.

News of Mugabe’s much-awaited resignation triggered celebrations in the capital, Harare, with people taking to the streets in jubilation to mark the departure of the country’s fallen liberation hero. – ANA

We didn’t know what was happening.