‘Nothing will change for Zimbabwe now’

A BRITISH-BORN software developer in Harare sees no hope of a better future for Zimbabwe despite the apparent coup against 93-year-old dictator Robert Mugabe.

The 38-year-old, who asked to remain anonymous, said that the country would “continue its slow descent into nothingness” even with a new president. He said the capital felt “quieter” since the president’s arrest, but that locals had almost no information and were relying on foreign news outlets.

“The only thing that we see is what’s being reported overseas – there’s the rumour mill locally but it’s difficult to say what’s going on,” he added.

He said that Mr Mugabe’s mansion in the suburb of Barrowdale Brooke had been cordoned off, but that his home in central Harare only had one extra guard outside. “Honestly I don’t think this really means anything for Zimbabwe. As far as I understand it’s just the succession battle that has been going on for a long time that’s gone up a level,” he said.

“The fact that (former vice president) Emmerson Mnangagwa was kicked out last week, that was probably an overplay of Mugabe’s hand. Now that their piece is off the board Mnangagwa’s supporters have decided to stop the game.”

He said it appeared Grace Mugabe had “lost” her bid to succeed her husband after a power battle.