Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe clings to power as deadline passes

Mugabe addressed the nation on Sunday hours after the ruling party, ZANU-PF, fired him as the leader.

Under the terms of the deal, Mugabe and his wife Grace – who had harboured ambitions of succeeding him – would be granted full immunity.

Central Committee members are singing Jah Prayzeh’s song “kutonga kwaro”.

Officials said the leader, who held power for almost four decades, was expected to resign, but Mugabe never formally stepped down. Indigenous Zimbabweans should continue to own the land and should be provided with necessary assistance and support to tilt the land.

The new ZANU-PF leadership under President Mnangagwa should never regress on the land ownership and should not take back the land to Settlers.

About two weeks ago, Moyo announced Mnangagwa’s expulsion from the party and government, and yesterday he announced that of Mugabe.

The central committee meeting was chaired by Obert Mpofu, one of the ministers who reportedly always signed correspondence to Mugabe as “your obedient son”.

Vice President Phelekezela Mpoko has also been recalled for divisive behaviour.

Harare resident Tina Madzimure called the speech “an embarrassment”.

In order for Mnangagwa to take over, the army would first have to persuade Mugabe to reappoint him.

Chris Mutsvangwa, head of the war veterans’ association, said Mugabe’s speech has nothing to do with realities. Usually it is the vice president’s role to step in, but the country has not had one since Mnangagwa was sacked earlier this month.

Despite Robert Mugabe’s failure to announce his resignation on Sunday night, commentators believe that his speech was part of the strategy to give an element of constitutionality to his removal. The party is expected to ratify Mnangagwa as party leader at the event.

The students also demanded that First Lady Grace Mugabe’s PHD be revoked.

His sacking from the party capped a dramatic week after the military seized power on Wednesday saying it wanted to remove “criminal elements” around the president.

It would be a sad day for Zimbabweans to wake up one day to be told that Saturday’s protests were in solidarity with a plan that had nothing to do with securing their interests in this new dispensation when their view when they poured out of their homes in their numbers was that of creating a better future for their country.

Cde Chinamasa said the Central Committee resolved to fill the position of national chairman that had been vacant for four years.

They said impeachment proceedings would begin if he does not resign by noon Monday. He was also recalled as Vice President and Second secretary of Zanu – PF.

He said he acknowledged criticism against him from Zanu-PF, the military and the public, but did not comment on the possibility of standing down.