Robert Mugabe granted immunity as Zimbabwe swears in new president: sources

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Robert Mugabe granted immunity as Zimbabwe swears in new president: sources

By MacDonald Dzirutwe and Cris Chinaka
Updated

Harare: Zimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe has been granted immunity from prosecution and assured that his safety would be protected in his home country as part of a deal that led to his resignation, sources close to the negotiations said on Thursday.

It comes as Emmerson Mnangagwa caps a stunning political comeback when he is sworn in as president on Friday, bringing the final curtain down on Mugabe's 37-year rule.

Mugabe, who had led Zimbabwe from independence in 1980, stepped down on Tuesday after the army seized power and the ruling party turned against him. Mnangagwa, the former vice president, was sacked for showing "traits of disloyalty" earlier this month.

A government source said Mugabe, 93, told negotiators he wanted to die in Zimbabwe and had no plans to live in exile.

Zimbabwean soldiers prepare for Friday's presidential inauguration of Emmerson Mnangagwa, at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean soldiers prepare for Friday's presidential inauguration of Emmerson Mnangagwa, at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe.Credit: AP

"It was very emotional for him and he was forceful about it," said the source, who is not authorised to speak on the details of the negotiated settlement.

"For him it was very important that he be guaranteed security to stay in the country ... although that will not stop him from travelling abroad when he wants to or has to," the source said.

His firing prompted Mnangagwa, 75, long one of Mugabe's most trusted lieutenants, to flee the country in fear for his life. It also brought the tanks into the streets.

On Thursday, Mnangagwa urged citizens not to undertake "vengeful retribution" - striking a tone of reconciliation that echoed those made by Mugabe almost four decades ago.

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New leader: Emmerson Mnangagwa.

New leader: Emmerson Mnangagwa.Credit: AP

Mugabe resigned as Parliament began a process to impeach him, sparking wild celebrations in the streets. His rapid downfall was triggered by a battle to succeed him that pitted Mnangagwa against Mugabe's wife Grace.

"The outgoing president is obviously aware of the public hostility to his wife, the anger in some circles about the manner in which she conducted herself and approached Zanu-PF party politics," a second source said.

Robert Mugabe, 93, told negotiators he wanted to die in Zimbabwe and had no plans to live in exile.

Robert Mugabe, 93, told negotiators he wanted to die in Zimbabwe and had no plans to live in exile. Credit: AP

"In that regard, it became necessary to also assure him that his whole family, including the wife, would be safe and secure."

Mugabe will receive a retirement package that includes a pension, housing, holiday and transport allowance, health insurance, limited air travel and security.

A crowd of thousands of protesters demand Robert Mugabe stand down last week.

A crowd of thousands of protesters demand Robert Mugabe stand down last week.Credit: AP

Mugabe had clung on to power for a week after the military intervened. He angered many Zimbabweans when he did not resign in a televised address on Sunday as many had anticipated.

The government source said the tipping point for him was the realisation that he would be impeached and ousted in an undignified way.

"When the process started, he then realised he had lost the party," the source said.

The ageing former president was "rugged and drained" by the events and may travel to Singapore for medical checks in the coming weeks, the source said. He had been due to leave for Singapore in mid-November before the military put him under house arrest.

Mugabe has maintained that he leads a frugal life and that he does not possess any wealth or properties outside Zimbabwe.

But last month a legal quarrel between Grace and a Belgian-based businessman over a $1.3 million diamond ring lifted a veil on the wealthy lifestyle of Mugabe and his wife, nicknamed "Gucci Grace" for her reputed dedication to shopping.

In Zimbabwe, Mugabe runs a dairy business and the family has several farms while local and foreign media have reported that Grace has bought properties and luxury cars in South Africa.

Mnangagwa's own human rights record also stirs hostility in many Zimbabweans. He was in charge of internal security when rights groups say 20,000 civilians were killed in the 1980s.

Restoring the country's fortunes and international standing will be a challenge. Human rights abuses and flawed elections prompted many Western countries to impose sanctions in the early 2000s that further hurt the economy, even with Chinese investment to soften the blow.

Staging clean elections next year will be key to winning fresh funds.

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In its first official comments since Mugabe resigned, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change said it was cautiously optimistic that a Mnangagwa presidency would not "mimic and replicate the evil, corrupt, decadent and incompetent Mugabe regime".

Reuters

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