Mugabe says his removal ‘a disgrace’

Former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe has given his first interview since being forced from power in November, describing his removal as a “coup” and a “disgrace”.

Mr Mugabe, 94, told South African broadcaster SABC in the interview yesterday he was pushed out by the military, which staged a takeover that led to Mr Mugabe’s resignation after 37 years in power.

He says “it was a coup”, adding: “We must undo this disgrace.”

The former president spoke at his mansion in a suburb of the capital, Harare. The military intervention was hugely popular in Zimbabwe.