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ZIMBABWEANS REVEL IN MUGABE’S RUIN

19/11/2017 09:09:00 The Editor

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Harare – Protesters in Zimbabwe have headed towards the office of President Robert Mugabe to urge him to step down.

The march came on a day of widespread jubilation in the capital Harare and other cities following the army’s takeover on Wednesday.
Soldiers at State House gently pushed protesters away in scenes resembling a party, says the BBC’s Andrew Harding.

The army intervened after Mr Mugabe sacked his deputy, signalling that he favoured his wife Grace as a successor. Mugabe, 93, has led Zimbabwe since it gained independence from Britain in 1980.
The military has kept him confined to his residence and says it is ‘engaging’ with him and will advise the public on the outcome of talks ‘as soon as possible’. Yesterday’s rally is supported by the army and members of the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Veterans of Zimbabwe’s war for independence - who until last year were loyal to the president, the best-known among them - are also saying Mugabe should quit.
The leader of the organisation urged people to head towards Mugabe’s private residence, too.
Outside State House, some people staged a sit-down protest in front of a line of troops, and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai addressed the crowd, to cheers.
The BBC’s Andrew Harding in Harare said this is a watershed moment and there can be no return to power for Mugabe.

A correspondent said the situation may appear to be getting out of Zanu-PF’s control and there could be a broad push to introduce a transitional government that includes the opposition.
The influential war veterans’ association leader Christopher Mutsvangwa had called for a huge turnout, saying: “We want to restore our pride.”

In the ruling Zanu-PF at least eight out of 10 regional branches voted on Friday for Mugabe to resign as president and party secretary. Several regional leaders appeared on TV saying he should step down, Grace Mugabe should resign from the party and Mr Mnangagwa should be reinstated to the central committee.