In an exclusive interview with Nehanda Radio, former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Gideon Gono confirmed that a picture showing him with Robert Mugabe and Grace Mugabe, was indeed taken on Tuesday 21 November, 2017 from the “Blue Roof” private mansion that belongs to the former First Family. The picture was taken just after Mugabe had resigned in a letter to the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda.
Asked why he went to assist Mugabe to negotiate his exit when he is not part of ZANU-PF structures or government, Gono responded:
People tend to run away from you when the chips are down and few will have the courage to stand by you during your darkest moments. I have experienced it personally before, when I retired from governorship in 2014 but I cannot be the evil that I don’t like to see happen to me. I’m not ashamed to say that I have remained loyal and a friend of the former President to the end, not for financial or commercial reasons but from a point of principle. Even with the incoming President, Cde E. D.Mnangagwa, when everyone deserted him in 2004/5 (alleged Tsholotsho coup), I am proud to state publicly that I was one of the few who fearlessly remained standing by him during those low moments in his political life and His Excellency the Former President, Cde R G Mugabe knew about it and never discouraged me from associating with him. So, issues of loyalty to me count a lot more in my life than political expediency or any form of gold, silver or opportunity. Those who are friends with me know that I will not waver on a day they need my umbrella.
More: Nehanda Radio