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AS IT HAPPENED: Mugabe in talks with ousted vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa

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Prayer service at Africa Unity Square in Zimbabwe. (News24 team)
Prayer service at Africa Unity Square in Zimbabwe. (News24 team)

ALSO READ: AS IT HAPPENED: Mugabe doesn't resign in much-anticipated address to nation

WATCH: Disbelief as defiant Mugabe gives national address

ALSO READ: 'We'll go for impeachment,' War veterans as they call for anti-Mugabe protest

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20 Nov 2017

Zanu-PF's chief whip said on Monday that it had support, pledged from 230 of about 260 of its members, to go ahead with impeachment proceedings against President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday.

Lovemore Matuke said the party would try to wrap up the impeachment proceedings as soon as possible this week, but added that it was likely to take three days.

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20 Nov 2017

Zanu-PF spokesperson SK Moyo on Monday night said the party has enough numbers to impeach Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, adding that it also has the support of opposition party MDC.

20 Nov 2017

20 Nov 2017

Zimbabwe's Mugabe, facing impeachment, calls Cabinet meeting

Zimbabwe's ruling party on Monday ordered impeachment proceedings to begin against longtime President Robert Mugabe and expressed confidence that he could be voted out within two days, while the world's oldest head of state ignored the party's midday deadline to resign and instead summoned ministers to a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.

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20 Nov 2017

The caucus of Zanu-PF parliamentarians, who was in attendance at the meeting, has endorsed the motion for impeachment.
The caucus of Zanu-PF parliamentarians, who was in attendance at the meeting, has endorsed the motion for impeachment. <br />

20 Nov 2017

Zimbabwe's longtime President Robert Mugabe has called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday morning even as the ruling party moves to impeach him when Parliament resumes on the same day.

The notice from Mugabe's chief secretary says the meeting will be at State House at 09:00 and all ministers "should attend".

Mugabe ignored the ruling party's midday Monday deadline to resign or face impeachment.

The ruling party accuses Mugabe of "allowing his wife to usurp government powers" and says the 93-year-old leader "is too old and cannot even walk without help."Mugabe remains under house arrest after the military moved in last week, but the military is taking pains to avoid accusations of a coup. - AP

<p>Zimbabwe's longtime President Robert Mugabe has called a Cabinet 
meeting for Tuesday morning even as the ruling party moves to impeach 
him when Parliament resumes on the same day.</p><p>The notice from Mugabe's chief secretary says the meeting will be at State House at 09:00 and all ministers "should attend".</p><p>Mugabe
 ignored the ruling party's midday Monday deadline to resign or face 
impeachment. </p><p>The ruling party accuses Mugabe of "allowing his wife to 
usurp government powers" and says the 93-year-old leader "is too old and
 cannot even walk without help."Mugabe remains under house arrest
 after the military moved in last week, but the military is taking pains
 to avoid accusations of a coup. - AP<br /></p>

20 Nov 2017

'Your time is up', veterans tell Mugabe

The military appears to favour a voluntary resignation for Mugabe, one of Africa's last remaining liberation leaders, to maintain a veneer of legality in the political transition and avoid accusations of a coup.

Mugabe, in turn, is likely using whatever leverage he has left to try to preserve his legacy or even protect himself and his family from possible prosecution. Amid the political confusion, the government on Monday urged Cabinet ministers to pursue business as usual.

Meanwhile, opposition activists and the influential liberation war veterans association announced more demonstrations to pressure Mugabe to go.

"Your time is up," veterans association leader Chris Mutsvangwa said at a press conference.

He suggested that the military was still beholden to Mugabe and compelled to protect him because he is officially their "commander in chief."

The war veterans' association will go to court to argue that Mugabe is "derelict of his executive duty", Mutsvangwa said.

<p><strong>'Your time is
up', veterans tell Mugabe</strong><br /></p><p>The
military appears to favour a voluntary resignation for Mugabe, one of Africa's
last remaining liberation leaders, to maintain a veneer of legality in the
political transition and avoid accusations of a coup.</p><p>Mugabe, in turn, is
likely using whatever leverage he has left to try to preserve his legacy or
even protect himself and his family from possible prosecution.

Amid the political
confusion, the government on Monday urged Cabinet ministers to pursue business
as usual.</p><p>Meanwhile, opposition activists and the influential liberation war
veterans association announced more demonstrations to pressure Mugabe to go.
</p><p>"Your time is
up," veterans association leader Chris Mutsvangwa said at a press
conference.</p><p>He suggested that the military was still beholden to Mugabe and
compelled to protect him because he is officially their "commander in
chief."
</p><p>The war veterans'
association will go to court to argue that Mugabe is "derelict of his
executive duty", Mutsvangwa said.

</p>
MORE

20 Nov 2017

Grace - Mugabe's downfall

The main charge against the 93-year-old Mugabe is "allowing his wife to usurp government powers" and that "he is too old and cannot even walk without help," Mangwana told reporters.

He said the ruling Zanu-PF party needs the backing of the MDC opposition group to have enough votes in Parliament but "we have talked to them and they are supporting us".

Zimbabweans were stunned by Mugabe's defiance during a national address on Sunday night in which the increasingly isolated president, put under military house arrest last week, had been expected to step down.

Mugabe did acknowledge "a whole range of concerns" about the chaotic state of the government and the economy, which has collapsed since he took power after independence from white minority rule in 1980. - AFP

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20 Nov 2017

Zimbabwe's ruling party expressed confidence on Monday that longtime President Robert Mugabe could be impeached within two days, while the world's oldest head of state ignored the party's midday deadline to resign.

As ruling party lawmakers began meeting on impeachment plans, deputy secretary for legal affairs Paul Mangwana said they would move a motion for impeachment on Tuesday and set up a parliamentary committee, and on Wednesday the committee would report back to all lawmakers and "we vote him out."- AFP

FULL STORY

20 Nov 2017

Tsvangirai has little faith in Zanu-PF saving Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he doubts the ability of the ruling party to solve the country's challenges amid efforts to oust President Robert Mugabe.

Tsvangirai, in a statement on his party's website, said the ruling Zanu-PF party has been hurt by factional battles and that it appears to have differences with the military over how to handle the confusing situation.

Mugabe has defied calls to resign immediately. The ruling party is discussing impeachment.

The opposition leader says the upheaval could undermine the opportunity for a "fresh start" after moves by the military and others against Mugabe.

"It would be inimical to progress and the future of the country if all this action was about power retention at all costs," Tsvangirai says.

He adds that elections scheduled for next year should be internationally supervised as a way to ensure political legitimacy. - AFP

<p><strong>Tsvangirai has little faith in Zanu-PF saving Zimbabwe</strong><br /></p><p>Zimbabwean
opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he doubts the ability of the ruling
party to solve the country's challenges amid efforts to oust President Robert
Mugabe.</p><p>Tsvangirai, in a statement on his
party's website, said the ruling Zanu-PF party has been hurt by factional
battles and that it appears to have differences with the military over how to
handle the confusing situation. </p><p>Mugabe has defied calls to resign immediately.
The ruling party is discussing impeachment.

</p><p>The opposition leader says
the upheaval could undermine the opportunity for a "fresh start"
after moves by the military and others against Mugabe. </p><p>"It would be
inimical to progress and the future of the country if all this action was about
power retention at all costs," Tsvangirai says.

</p><p>He adds that elections
scheduled for next year should be internationally supervised as a way to ensure
political legitimacy. - AFP</p>

20 Nov 2017

Zimbabweans gathered in Africa Unity Square opposite the Parliament on Monday to call for President Robert Mugabe to step down.

The gathering was a prayer meeting that's planned for every day this week until Mugabe steps down, with calls for churches, civil society and ordinary people to be included in the talks for an inclusive government. 

Doug Coltart, one of the organisers of the gathering and the organiser of #ThisFlag, said they had claimed the space opposite parliament, and would be meeting there daily.

"We want Mugabe to step down. We want him to go peacefully," he said.

READ MORE

20 Nov 2017

Should the bloodless coup in Zimbabwe succeed, could this embolden the anti-Zuma faction inside the ANC to take more decisive action, asks Nontsikelelo Mpulo.

Regional geopolitics could pave the way for change in SA

On 13 April 1993, President Nelson Mandela addressed South Africa, calling for calm and for the efforts toward a peaceful transition from apartheid rule to continue. The seminal speech was delivered to avert the threat of a descent into outright civil war when Chris Hani was gunned down in front of his Dawn Park home three days earlier.

20 Nov 2017

The army has been the pillar - it's been central of President Robert Mugabe's leadership - SAFM commentary on the Zimbabwe crisis

20 Nov 2017

"All of us were shocked, but if you go back, signals were out there" - SAFM commentary on the Zimbabwe crisis

20 Nov 2017

Military chiefs and senior figures in the ruling ZANU-PF party have been examining ways in which they can punish the Mugabe family and seize the assets they accumulated over the last four decades.  

The Mugabes own more land than any other individual in Zimbabwe ever has - both before and after independence in 1980. - The Times

20 Nov 2017

The Zimbabwean army said it would make a statement in response to the crisis triggered by President Robert Mugabe's refusal to go. - AFP

20 Nov 2017

Zanu PF members are meeting behind closed doors at the moment

20 Nov 2017

Most of our leaders fail to realise that the power resides with the masses - SAFM commentary on the Zimbabwe crisis

20 Nov 2017

When the time is right, a good leader knows he must leave - SAFM commentary on the Zimbabwe crisis
When the time is right, a good leader knows he must leave -
SAFM commentary on the Zimbabwe crisis

20 Nov 2017

Mugabe impeachment: Zanu-PF MPs summoned

Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party has reportedly summoned its members of parliament "as the former liberation movement moved to trigger a process to impeach beleaguered President Robert Mugabe".

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

20 Nov 2017

Mugabe has lost public, party support, Britain says

Robert Mugabe has "lost the support of the people and of his party", Britain said Monday after the Zimbabwean president insisted he still holds power despite a military takeover and demands to quit.

GET THE FULL STORY HERE

20 Nov 2017

The booing of Grace Mugabe at a rally precipitated the firing of Zimbabwean vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa and the coup

20 Nov 2017

Mugabe fired his vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa on November 6

20 Nov 2017

Robert Mugabe has "lost the support of the people and of his party", Britain said on Monday after the Zimbabwean president insisted he still holds power despite a military takeover and demands to quit.  

"As last night's events showed, we don't yet know how developments in Zimbabwe are going to play out," Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesperson said.  

"But what does appear clear is that Mugabe has lost the support of the people and of his party.   "We would say that while the situation remains uncertain, we would appeal for everyone to refrain from violence. We hope to see a peaceful and swift resolution to the situation."  

In a televised address late on Sunday, Mugabe defied expectations he would quit, pitching the country into a second week of political crisis.  

The speech provoked anger and disbelief among many Zimbabweans, fuelling concerns that the 93-year-old veteran leader could face a violent backlash.  

Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from British rule in 1980. - AFP

<p>Robert Mugabe has "lost the support of the people and
of his party", Britain said on Monday after the Zimbabwean president
insisted he still holds power despite a military takeover and demands to quit.

&nbsp;

</p><p>"As last night's events showed, we don't yet know how
developments in Zimbabwe are going to play out," Prime Minister Theresa
May's official spokesperson said.

&nbsp;

</p><p>"But what does appear clear is that Mugabe has lost the
support of the people and of his party.

&nbsp;

"We would say that while the situation remains
uncertain, we would appeal for everyone to refrain from violence. We hope to
see a peaceful and swift resolution to the situation."

&nbsp;

</p><p>In a televised address late on Sunday, Mugabe defied
expectations he would quit, pitching the country into a second week of
political crisis.

&nbsp;

</p><p>The speech provoked anger and disbelief among many
Zimbabweans, fuelling concerns that the 93-year-old veteran leader could face a
violent backlash.

&nbsp;

</p><p>Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from British
rule in 1980. - AFP
</p>

20 Nov 2017

Two senior political sources said Mugabe agreed to resign on Sunday but ZANU-PF did not want him to quit in front of the military, an act that would have made its intervention look like a coup.  

"It would have looked extremely bad if he had resigned in front of those generals. It would have created a huge amount of mess," one senior source within ZANU-PF said. - Reuters

20 Nov 2017

'Unworried' Mugabe was busy 'munching mealies as Zimbabweans protested against him'

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was reportedly not bothered by the recent demonstrations calling for him to step down.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

20 Nov 2017

"Relations between China and Mugabe have been quite fractious over the past year and a half, and the current situation is going to make things worse," said Derek Matyszak, a Harare-based senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies.

China is unhappy about Mugabe's mismanagement of Zimbabwe's economy and is believed to favour as his successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who's seen as more of an "economic pragmatist", Matyszak said. - AP

<p>"Relations between China and Mugabe have been quite
fractious over the past year and a half, and the current situation is going to
make things worse," said Derek Matyszak, a Harare-based senior researcher
at the Institute for Security Studies.

</p><p>China is unhappy about Mugabe's mismanagement of Zimbabwe's
economy and is believed to favour as his successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who's
seen as more of an "economic pragmatist", Matyszak said. - AP

</p>

20 Nov 2017

SADC leaders set to meet in Angola over Zimbabwe crisis

The Southern African Development Community is expected to discuss Zimbabwe’s political crisis in Luanda, Angola on Tuesday, the presidency has said in a statement.

FOLLOW THE FULL STORY

20 Nov 2017

Zimbabwe's state-run broadcaster says ruling party members are summoned to a meeting on Monday afternoon as talk of impeaching long-time President Robert Mugabe continues. - AP

20 Nov 2017

Zambian President Edgar Lungu has sent former president Kenneth Kaunda to Harare to try to convince President Robert Mugabe to step down in a "dignified exit" after the military seized power last week.  

"Dr Kaunda used the presidential jet and has already arrived in Harare," a senior government source told Reuters.  

Kaunda is also 93 years old. - Reuters

20 Nov 2017

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, shows Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe the way during a welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.  

Under Robert Mugabe’s decades-long rule over Zimbabwe, China grew into one of its biggest investors, trading partners and diplomatic allies.  

Now, as the African nation appears on the verge of its first transition of power since independence, Beijing is poised to be among the biggest winners. (Ng Han Guan, AP, File)

<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, shows Zimbabwe's
President Robert Mugabe the way during a welcome ceremony outside the Great
Hall of the People in Beijing, China. 

&nbsp;
</p><p>Under Robert Mugabe’s decades-long rule over Zimbabwe, China
grew into one of its biggest investors, trading partners and diplomatic allies.


&nbsp;

</p><p>Now, as the African nation appears on the verge of its first
transition of power since independence, Beijing is poised to be among the
biggest winners. (Ng Han Guan, AP, File)

</p>

20 Nov 2017

Zimbabwean lawmakers are expected to meet to discuss impeaching President Robert Mugabe - CapeTalk report

20 Nov 2017

Newspapers are held down by rocks to stop them blowing away at a news stand in Harare, Zimbabwe.  

Long-time President Robert Mugabe ignored a 12:00 deadline set by the ruling party to step down or face impeachment proceedings, while Zimbabweans stunned by his lack of resignation during a national address vowed more protests to make him leave. (Ben Curtis, AP)

<p>Newspapers are held down by rocks to stop them blowing away
at a news stand in Harare, Zimbabwe. 

&nbsp;

</p><p>Long-time President Robert Mugabe ignored a 12:00 deadline
set by the ruling party to step down or face impeachment proceedings, while Zimbabweans
stunned by his lack of resignation during a national address vowed more
protests to make him leave. (Ben Curtis, AP)

</p>

20 Nov 2017

University of Zimbabwe students refuse to write exams until President Mugabe steps down
WATCH

20 Nov 2017

Noon deadline for defiant Mugabe passes as Zimbabwe crisis deepens

Robert Mugabe faced the threat of impeachment by his own party on Monday, after his shock insistence he still holds power in Zimbabwe despite a military takeover and a noon deadline to end his 37-year autocratic rule

GET ALL THE DETAILS HERE

20 Nov 2017

A 12:00 deadline by the ruling party for Robert Mugabe to stand down as President of Zimbabwe or face impeachment expired on Monday with no word on the fate of the 93-year-old, who was fired as head of his ZANU-PF party at the weekend, an ignominious end to his 37 years in power. - Reuters
A 12:00 deadline by the ruling party for Robert Mugabe to
stand down as President of Zimbabwe or face impeachment expired on Monday with
no word on the fate of the 93-year-old, who was fired as head of his ZANU-PF party
at the weekend, an ignominious end to his 37 years in power. - Reuters
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