Mugabe facing the axe from his party today
From independence leader to outcast
ROBERT MUGABE’S ruling Zanu-PF is expected to remove him as head of the party at a meeting in Harare this morning, say two party sources.
The 93-year-old and his wife, Grace, have been under house arrest following a military coup in Zimbabwe last week, triggered by his sacking of vicepresident Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The sources told Reuters that a party meeting at 10.30am local time would also dismiss Mr Mugabe’s preferred successor, his wife Grace, from her role as head of the Zanu-PF Women’s League. They said they would also discuss how Mr Mnangagwa would be reinstated as vice-president, with a view to forming a government of national unity with MPs from several parties.
Patrick Zhuwao, Mr Mugabe’s nephew, said the leader and his wife were “ready to die for what is correct”.
Thousands of Zimbabweans took to the streets of Harare yesterday calling for Mr Mugabe to go.
1980
Robert Mugabe wins British-supervised elections for his Zanu party in Zimbabwe. Independence is internationally recognised on April 18.
2002
Mr Mugabe and Zanu-PF win elections amid reports that opponents have been murdered or tortured. The claims lead to him being suspended from the Commonwealth. Mr Mugabe wins a seventh term in office. the opposition MDC party dismisses the election as rigged.