MUGABE AND FAMILY GET IMMUNITY IN DEAL TO QUIT
▶ Former leader says he wants to die in Zimbabwe as Mnangagwa steps up
Zimbabwe’s former president, Robert Mugabe, has been granted immunity from prosecution and assured of protection in his home country as part of the deal that led to his resignation.
Mr Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe from independence in 1980, stepped down on Tuesday after the army seized power and his own ruling party turned against him.
Emmerson Mnangagwa, the former vice president sacked by Mr Mugabe this month, is expected to be sworn in as president today at the 60,000-seat national stadium in the capital, Harare.
A government source said Mr Mugabe, 93, told negotiators he wanted to die in Zimbabwe and had no plans to live in exile.
“It was very emotional for him,” the source said.
“For him it was very important that he be guaranteed security to stay in the country … although that will not stop him from travelling abroad.”
Mr Mugabe resigned on Tuesday as parliament began a process to impeach him, sparking wild celebrations in the streets. His rapid downfall after 37 years in power was triggered by a battle to succeed him that pitted Mr Mnangagwa against Mr Mugabe’s wife, Grace, who is 40 years younger than her husband.
“The outgoing president is obviously aware of the public hostility to his wife, the anger in some circles about the manner in which she conducted herself,” a second source said. “In that regard, it became necessary to also assure him that his whole family, including the wife, would be safe and secure.”
Mr Mugabe angered many Zimbabweans when he did not resign during a televised national address on Sunday. But the tipping point for him was the realisation that he would be impeached and ousted in an undignified way.
Mr Mugabe will receive a retirement package that includes a pension, housing, holiday and transport allowance, health insurance, limited air travel and security.
The source said the ageing former president may travel to Singapore for medical checks in the coming week.
Meanwhile, Mr Mnangagwa has promised a new age of democracy. He returned to the country on Wednesday, having fled when Mr Mugabe sacked him as vice president two weeks ago.
“The people have spoken. The voice of the people is the voice of God,” Mr Mnangagwa told supporters outside the offices of the ruling Zanu-PF party in the capital, Harare.
Zimbabwe’s opposition party MDC-T, which supported Mr Mugabe’s removal from office, said it will be watching Mr Mnangagwa’s next moves closely, “particularly regarding the dismantling of all the pillars of repression and oppression that had been put in place by the outgoing Mugabe regime”, said spokesman Obert Gutu.
By the time elections are held next year, “the electoral playing field should have been completely evened up”, he said.