Former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe announced today that he would not be voting for his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa in tomorrow’s elections.
Mugabe (94) was speaking at a press conference in his home in Harare, where he addressed issues surrounding the elections and demystifying rumours about him. One of the things he insisted on was that he would not vote from Mnangagwa, who orchestrated his ousting in November 2017.
Robert Mugabe addressing media, says he will not vote for people who tormented him and used the army to force him from office in November last year.
Photo credit Dorion Alexander pic.twitter.com/IJb2nTKWap— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) July 29, 2018
He added that among the people on the ballot paper, Chamisa is the only option.
Mugabe says Chamisa is the only option: “I can’t vote for ZanuPF. I can’t vote for those in power, who are the people that have brought me into this state. So it’s MDC, Mai Mujuru & 22 others. But I’ve said the two women don’t seem to offer much. So what’s there? Chamisa”
— newZWire (@newswireZW) July 29, 2018
He also dispelled claims that he had wanted his wife Grace to succeed him, stating that it was all lies by certain members in the ZANU PF party.
Robert Mugabe says Sekeramayi and Mnangagwa wld have competed for leadership at the Zanu PF Congress. The nonsense that he wanted to have his wife as President, all that nonsense that Perence Shiri said is utter nonsense. Hear it from me.
— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) July 29, 2018
He also trashed rumours that he had met and funded the opposition party led by Nelson Chamisa who is contesting for the seat against Mnangagwa.
Closing the press conference, the former president and founder of leading ZANU PF, stated that his focus now his family and the benefits he would receive.
Robert Mugabe says leave my wife alone, I want Grace to remain my Grace
— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) July 29, 2018
Here is how Zimbabweans reacted to the news:
Him Mugabe endorsing Nelson Chamisa show that he maybe realising the mistakes of his actions in the ruling party.. He know how those Zanupf people operate. So it's time for change. And change is coming
— Vimbai (@shaz1283) July 29, 2018
From Mugabe's answer it is clear that he was no longer in charge! Those that we have now are the ones that where in charge, they are the ones that killed pple in 2008, they are the ones that abducted Dzamara! https://t.co/Hy3pntnX0V
— jarras001 (@jarras001) July 29, 2018
Anyone praising Robert Mugabe today is a political charlatan!!#ZimbabweDecides2018 #ZimElections2018 #Zimdecides2018 pic.twitter.com/IBfVzFFiYC
— Ndumiso KaNcube (@Mzilankatha_) July 29, 2018
If MUGABE who formed ZanuPf in 1963 is not voting for ZanuPf why should you. @lacoste_team @JonesMusara @nickmangwana
— TeeJay The Recruiter (@tjchaitwa) July 29, 2018
I never thought I’d hear the day Mugabe would be complaining about the very things he used to do to the opposition. He created and nurtured the culture.
— Christopher Farai (@ChrisCharamba) July 29, 2018
Mugabe is the victim now? He should also tell us why he fired @edmnangagwa. Same old, same old tin pot dictator
— VALERY (@ValTomTea) July 29, 2018
Why would anyone thinking logically expect Mugabe to vote for Zanu. The party overthrew him and expelled his wife and his friends from the party.
— PO Box Watsomba (@asagonda) July 29, 2018
#Mugabe in that press conference pic.twitter.com/7vHFq6wytQ
— Rufaro Manyepa (@rufaromanyepa) July 29, 2018
Mugabe trying to stay relevant with his presser #ZimElections2018
— Mhla (@mhla200) July 29, 2018
Mugabe definitely suffers from a personality disorder. Possibly the same as trump
— tariro (@tariroc_) July 29, 2018