Grace Mugabe, the wife of Zimbabwe’s president is to be prosecuted, along with a ‘number of others’, a Zanu PF official has said.
The news comes after the sacking of Robert Mugabe, who has been dismissed as the head of the ruling Zanu-PF party and replaced by the deputy he fired earlier this month.
Mrs Mugabe, who had been chair of the party’s women’s league, was also dismissed.
Emmerson Mnangawa will take over as leader of the party, Chris Mutsvangwa, the chairman of the Zimbabwe War Veterans Association confirmed.
Mr Mutsvangwa also said the party was beginning the process to remove Mr Mugabe as President of Zimbabwe.
Mr Mugabe remains president of Zimbabwe, after calls for him to resign following the military takeover on 15 November.
At Zanu-PF’s Central Committee meeting, Obert Mpofu, minister of home affairs who chaired the group, said Mrs Mugabe was to blame for taking “advantage” of the leader.
Mr Mpofu said: “We meet here today with a heavy heart because Mugabe’s wife and her close associates have taken advantage of his frail condition and abused the resources of the country.
“I warmly welcome you all to this historic meeting which will mark a new era, not only for our country but for the party.”
A special Zanu-PF Central Committee meeting is currently underway in Harare to recall the revolutionary party’s First Secretary Robert Mugabe from his position.
The meeting is being chaired by Obert Mpofu who is Zanu-PF’s Secretary for Finance. Mpofu is the most senior member present according to the party hierarchy.
The end of an era . . . Grace Mugabe
Mpofu said President Mugabe’s wife Grace Mugabe and her close associates had taken advantage of the First Secretary’s frailty due to his advanced age to usurp his powers and to loot the country’s resources.
Emmerson Mnangagwa
Meanwhile Journalists stormed the meeting for a briefing after hearing celebratory ululations from the auditorium. Indications are that the Central Committee is going to recall President Mugabe as the party‘s First Secretary while reinstating former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the Second Secretary.
Central Committee members are singing Jah Prayzeh’s song “kutonga kwaro”. Youths are already celebrating chanting Cde Mnangagwas popular slogan “Tichingotonga imi muchingovukura ”
Journalists have been called in for briefing. There is jubilation in the auditorium as people dance to ‘Jah Prayzah’s Kutonga kwaro’
Secretary for legal affairs Patrick Chinamasa now addressing:
- President Robert Mugabe has been recalled as First secretary and President of Zanu PF
- The Zanu PF central Committee has demanded that President Robert Mugabe resign as state President by midday tomorrow 20 November 2017. The Chief Whip will move for his impeachment if he does not resign.
- Vice President Phelekezela Mpoko has also been recalled for divisive behaviour . He was also recalled as Vice President and Second secretary of Zanu-Pf
- Zanu PF Secretary for Legal affairs Patrick Chinamasa said the meeting considered several issues affecting the party and government.
- He said the Central Committee applauded the Zimbabwe Defence forces for its intervention
- Zanu PF secretary for Legal affairs Patrick Chinamasa said the unconstitutional removal and expulsion of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is nullified. Mnangagwa was therefore reinstated as a Central Committee member
- The suspensions and expulsions of party members were also nullified
- All central Committee members who were suspended as of the 2014 congress were reinstated
- President Robert Mugabe has been recalled as First secretary and President of ZANU PF
- The Zanu PF central Committee has demanded that President Robert Mugabe resign as state President by midday tomorrow 20 November 2017. The Chief Whip will move for his impeachment if he does not resign.
- Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has also been recalled for divisive behaviour. He was also recalled as Vice President and Second secretary of Zanu – PF. He is accused of protecting thieves