Mugabe dismissed as ZANU-PF leader given until noon tomorrow to resign as President

President Robert Mugabe has been dismissed as the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front leader and has been given until noon tomorrow to resign as State President.

He was replaced by his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa who was fired from the government and expelled from the party last week.

The military intervened to prevent the country from being taken over by “criminals” and counter-revolutionaries. It insisted this was not a coup and has played by the book to ensure a constitutionally accepted change of guard.

His wife Grace Mugabe was also expelled from the party but faced prosecution.

War veterans leader Christopher Mutsvangwa appealed to Mugabe to step down peacefully because he might be removed by the people and this could be violent.

"We will bring back the crowds and they will do their business," Mutsvangwa who organised yesterday’s massive marches warned, adding that he wanted to avoid the prospect of the military shooting at people trying to defend Mugabe from them.

If Mugabe refuses to step down tomorrow, Parliament will start impeachment proceedings on Tuesday.

The mediation team was expected to meet Mugabe today but has not announced the outcome.

The Insider understands that Mugabe agreed to step down but was to be given until the special congress next month but this is now being speeded up to avoid a backlash from the people.

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