Former President Robert Mugabe is reported to have shed some tears when he resigned on Tuesday, while both the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament, where sitting to impeach him. Mugabe is reported to have felt bitter and betrayed by his subordinates some of whom he claimed he had groomed and protected from charges of corruption from as far back as 1983.
According to weekly publication, The Standard, Mugabe had initially insisted that he was not going to step down as he was prepared to die for his seat and only resigned when he realised how untenable his situation was, although he felt bitter at the perceived betrayal.
Some sources who spoke to The Standard said:
After a four-hour long meeting, which was attended by the chief negotiator, Father Fidelis Mukonori, family friend and former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono, presidential spokesperson George Charamba and the (former) first lady Grace Mugabe, Mugabe was adamant that he would not step down
He was prepared to die for his seat. He looked down, looked at his wife, took a deep breath and said ‘so this is what they have decided.
He looked down and said ‘people were chameleons, (name of the senior Zanu PF official withheld) of all the people to do this to me.
Is this the same person I recently gave a lifeline and I pardoned him since 1983? Today he turns against me.
It was a heart-rending moment, especially for Mukonori who could not hold back his tears.
He said ‘well, they have done this, I hope it ends with me
There is another version of what happened during President Mugabe’s last days from Roman Catholic Priest, Father Fidelis Mukonori, which presents a picture of mutual respect.
More: The Standard