Skip to main content

Zimbabwe’s Mugabe ‘Taking Things Very Well’ After Resignation, Nephew Says

November 26, 2017

Leo Mugabe, the former president’s nephew, told reporters that Mr. Mugabe has been doing well since his resignation.

Five days after resigning as president of Zimbabwe, 93-year-old Robert Mugabe is “taking things very well,” according to his nephew.

Zimbabwe’s military placed Mr. Mugabe under house arrest and pressured him to resign and hand over power to his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa. While initially resisting pressure from the military and his own ZANU-PF, Mr. Mugabe agreed to resign after the military guaranteed him immunity from prosecution, a $10 million cash payment, and the continued payment of his $150,000 annual salary until his death, according to the Guardian.

Mr. Mnangagwa was sworn in as president on Friday, putting an end to Mr. Mugabe’s 37-year rule.

Leo Mugabe, the former president’s nephew, told reporters that Mr. Mugabe has been doing well since his resignation.

“He is fine. I have been to see him; he is quite jovial. He is actually looking forward to his new life, farming and staying at the rural home. He has taken it well,” he said.

Mr. Leo Mugabe added that the former first lady, Grace Mugabe, is focusing on founding a university in Mr. Mugabe’s honor.

“I like the spirit she has; she is with him all the time. She is an amazing person. She wants to continue planning the Robert Mugabe University so they have something to do,” he said.

The Mugabe government had announced in August that it would build a $1 billion university in Mazowe named after Mr. Mugabe.

The Guardian reports that the formal central bank governor and adviser to Mr. Mugabe, Gideon Golo, similarly stated that the former president was in good spirits when he saw him ahead of Mr. Mnangagwa's inauguration on Friday.

Image

Topics
Zimbabwe