The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
South Africa urged Zimbabwe to resist any “unconstitutional changes” of government, and said it was sending envoys to Harare on behalf of the SADC bloc of southern African nations to help resolve the impasse.
President Mugabe and Grace made no public comment and their exact whereabouts was not known, while government and army spokesmen were not available to comment.
“The government’s silence on the military deployments seem to confirm that President Mugabe has lost control of the situation,” Robert Besseling, of the London-based EXX Africa risk consultancy, said.
Mugabe is the world’s oldest head of state, but his poor health has fuelled a bitter succession battle as potential replacements jockey for position.
In speeches this year, Mugabe has often slurred his words, mumbled and paused for long periods.
His lengthy rule has been marked by brutal repression of dissent, mass emigration, vote-rigging and economic collapse since land reforms in 2000.
– Grace’s ambitions-
Speculation has been rife in Harare that Mugabe had sought to remove army chief Chiwenga, who is seen as an ally of ousted Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa, 75, was previously one of Mugabe’s most loyal lieutenants, having worked alongside him for decades.
Earlier this year Zimbabwe was gripped by a bizarre spat between Grace and Mnangagwa that included an alleged ice-cream poisoning incident that laid bare the pair’s rivalry.
Grace Mugabe — 41 years younger than her husband — has become increasingly active in public life in what many say was a process to help her eventually take the top job.
She was granted diplomatic immunity in South Africa in August after she allegedly assaulted a model at an expensive Johannesburg hotel where the couple’s two sons were staying.
As the economy collapsed since 2000, Zimbabwe was engulfed by hyperinflation and was forced to abandon its own currency in 2009 in favour of the US dollar.
The country, which has an unemployment rate of over 90 percent, is due to hold elections next year with Mugabe pledging to stand for office again.
And if he reinstates Mnangagwa? Won’t he be reinstated himself? This is a mutiny and should be condemned by all peace-loving people, followed by sanctions. He had confided in certain close friends that he was to resign this year on Christmas….so what is the hurry of these indisciplined soldiers for?
MUGABE for quite some time now, has not been the president and some people around him have been using the kavuyo to position themselves.
On the other hand,just like we have here in Uganda, a certain group of people have that sense of entitlement and feel untouchable.
MUGABE had reached his sale by date and the law of diminishing returns had set in a very long time and someone who was once an admired intellectual had long become an embarrassment.
I think for his own good and that of the country, it is best the way it is, just as long as they do not harm him or those close to him.
AND he has been setting a bad example because some leaders are using him as the benchmark. It is when you my good friend RWASUBUTARE has a neighbour who beats his wife,it looks almost normal,and even almost noble if you and your wife have a shouting match once in a while.
Some of us who had been to good old Zimbabwe in the 80s and saw what a beautiful country it was then, and then hear the horror stories that come out now feel embarrassed when people even mention the name of the once hated and dreaded Ian Smith with Zimbabwe in the same sentence let alone paragraph.
The way things have gotten in Zimbabwe, it is almost fair to assume that any change can not be worse than the current state of affairs.
Let us give change a chance , just like my good friend M 9 always wants WAR to be given a chance.