Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Robert Mugabe: Legal action to remove Zimbabwe President to be initiated by war veterans

Court action seeks to legalise military action after army seized power

Samuel Osborne
Monday 20 November 2017 09:07 GMT
Comments
President Robert Mugabe baffled Zimbabwe by ending his address on national television without announcing his resignation
President Robert Mugabe baffled Zimbabwe by ending his address on national television without announcing his resignation

The leader of Zimbabwe's war veterans has said they will initiate legal action in the country's high court to remove President Robert Mugabe.

Chris Mutsvangwa said the court action will argue the military takeover in Zimbabwe was legal because Mr Mugabe was derelict in his duties.

He went on to call on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its chairperson, South African President Jacob Zuma, to assist in removing the 93-year-old president.

Mr Mugabe defied expectations he would resign in a national address on Sunday night, during which he was flanked by military generals.

Mugabe fails to resign in state broadcast

Mr Mugabe has reportedly agreed to stand down and his resignation letter has been drafted, CNN said, citing a source familiar with his negotiations with the generals who seized power in Harare last week.

Under the terms of the deal, Mr Mugabe and his wife Grace would be granted full immunity, CNN said.

Mr Mugabe was dismissed as head of the ruling Zanu-PF party and replaced by Emmerson Mnangagwa, the deputy he sacked earlier this month.

Members of the ruling party's Central Committee danced, cheered and sang as Mr Mugabe was recalled.

Grace Mugabe, the country's unpopular first lady nicknamed "Gucci Grace," was also expelled from the party and recalled as head of the women's league.

Without the military's intervention, Ms Mugabe was expected to have replaced Mr Mnangawa as vice president, putting her in a position to succeed her husband.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in