Joy in Zimbabwe: Mugabe resigns!

Despised Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe resigned on Tuesday just hours before he could be impeached, marking an extraordinary end to a brutal, nearly-four-decade-long reign.

The 93-year-old African leader (inset) — who once vowed to rule for life — finally bowed to mounting pressure after a military coup left him under house arrest last week.

“My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, nonviolent transfer of power,” Mugabe said in a letter read in the country’s Parliament.

Cheers immediately erupted in the government session and on streets throughout the country.

Mugabe’s 37-year rule over the nation, once a British colony known as Rhodesia, was infamous for its violence and disastrous social and economic policies. He was widely accused of using voter fraud and the military to keep his grip on power while raiding the country’s diamond mines to fuel his family’s lavish lifestyle.

Mugabe’s much-younger wife, Grace, 52, had recently caused controversy, as fears mounted that she planned to take over the helm from her aged husband. She had been dubbed “Gucci Grace’’ in the press for her love of luxury items.

Mugabe did himself no favors earlier this month when he booted his vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had been expected to succeed him. This prompted the military takeover.

Parliament convened Tuesday morning to start the process of Mugabe’s impeachment — on the grounds that he “allowed his wife to usurp constitutional power” because he was too feeble to rule himself.

Mnangagwa is expected to assume power in the next 48 hours, a rulingparty official said on Tuesday.