Mugabe resigns as Zimbabwe president after 37 years

Mugabe resigns as Zimbabwe president after 37 years

Deposed dictator Robert Mugabe could leave Zimbabwe as early as tonight after finally resigning the presidency after 37 years, but the military is demanding his hated wife be left behind to face prosecution. 

One of his Mugabe's protection team told Mail Online: 'From my understanding, he might leave the country tonight. The generals promised him he could leave safely.

'The generals were insisting that Grace must be prosecuted. It was a burning issue up until today. I don't know what the outcome was, but they were insisting that they might forgive the old man but not Grace.'

Grace could be arrested tonight, a close family member added, as wild scenes of celebration erupted around the country following news of the 93-year-old's departure.

As politicians danced and sang in parliament whites and blacks united in the streets as cars honked their horns, flags flew and lorries full of revellers roared through the streets. 

'Gucci' Grace, as she is known thanks to her lavish spending sprees, prompted the dictator's downfall when she attempted to oust vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa from power to clear the way for her own succession.

Mr Mnangagwa is now back in the country, having fled to South Africa earlier this month, a Zanu-PF minister said.

He has urged followers to stay calm and thanked them for their hard work, the minister added. A party spokesman confirmed he will be sworn in as interim leader on Wednesday.

In his first remarks issued since Mugabe's resignation, Mr Mnangagwa said he wants to 'ensure a peaceful transition to the consolidation of our democracy' and to 'tackle the country's political and economic challenges.'

Elsewhere on Monday:

Constantino Chiwenga, the head of the country's army, called for restraint from all political parties 

Zimbabwe's former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said it was time to 'define a new chapter' for the country

Zanu-PF's chief whip said Emmerson Mnangagwa will serve the rest of Mugabe's term until fresh elections scheduled for 2018

Theresa May praised Mugabe's departure and said Zimbabwe's 'oldest friend' will support the transition

The US embassy called the resignation 'historic', saying it is an opportunity to 'set the nation on a new path'

Mugabe and Grace are currently holed up at their Blue Roof mansion, according to a source who spoke to Mail Online, with Mugabe 'so depressed he can't even lift his feet'.

One of the former dictator's security team said: 'He is depressed to the extent he is failing to walk. He is dragging his feet.

'Grace has been refusing to go outside into the open air all day as well,' he said. 'They both know the end has come and they are deeply depressed. Their greatest worry is what is going to happen to them and their family.' 

He added: 'The issue of Grace was a burning one. The generals were going to press ahead with prosecuting her for crimes including money laundering, capturing of state assets and interfering with government business.' 

It was Grace's decision to try and oust Mnangagwa from power and clear a path for her own succession to the presidency that sparked the military uprising which ultimately toppled her husband.  

Mystery also remains over the fate of couple's two sons, Chatunga and Robert Jr, who live in South Africa. Chatunga has been updating social media regularly since the military began ousting his father from power, with the latest update coming on Monday in the form of a picture of himself checking his phone.

Mugabe was said to be confessing his sins and praying on Tuesday night.

A member of the Mugabe family who is close to the deposed president said: 'Bob has been holding prayers and confessing with Father Mukonori and the family. He feels depressed now the whole country is celebrating about him going.'

The former dictator, who is a Catholic, has confessed to Father Fidelis Mukonori, a priest who had been mediating in his negotiations with the armed forces.

Father Mukonori, a trusted aide of the former president, was the man responsible for rousing Mr Mugabe from his hunger strike, MailOnline revealed yesterday.

The despot had been in a state of psychological collapse, asking for his dead first wife and son and refusing to eat, wash or speak.

However, after the intervention of Father Mukonori, he regained his strength, took a shower and gave the notorious speech in which he failed to resign.

Now Father Mukonori, who has been a close ally of Mr Mugabe since the Seventies, has stepped in to comfort Mugabe as he released his grip on power.

 Zimbabwe's former prime minister