Robert Mugabe has been granted immunity and allowed to remain safely in Zimbabwe under a resignation deal, sources have said.
As Zimbabwe prepares to swear in a new leader after 37 years, attention is turning to the fate of Mugabe and his wife – the hated ‘Gucci Grace’.
A government source said Mugabe, who is 93, told negotiators he wanted to die in Zimbabwe and had no plans to live in exile.
‘It was very emotional for him and he was forceful about it,’ said the source, who is not authorised to speak on the details of the negotiated settlement.
‘For him it was very important that he be guaranteed security to stay in the country… although that will not stop him from travelling abroad when he wants to or has to,’ the source said.
Robert Mugabe has been granted immunity and allowed to remain safely in Zimbabwe under a resignation deal, sources have said
The 93-year-old Mugabe, who resigned on Tuesday as lawmakers began impeaching him, has kept a low profile since his stunning speech to the nation on Sunday night in which he defied calls to step down.
He is said to remain in the capital, Harare, with former first lady Grace but it is not clear under what terms.
Speculation he has secured guarantees of protection, including immunity from prosecution, were confirmed by sources this morning.
George Charamba, 56, a top aide to the former president told The Times Mugabe was not planning to leave Zimbabwe.
The 93-year-old is said to be penning his memoirs and he is hoping his wife will be able to the family businesses which includes a university in the Mugabe name.
But the fact the Mugabes will retain their property portfolio has angered many of his critics.
Tino Marafu who runs a small business in Harare told the paper: ‘Why do people think that once a crook is out it’s now OK for them to keep their empire?
‘Why even bother overthrowing them if we are not going to reclaim money and assets.’
He claimed it sent the wrong message to the next leader – a man known as The Crocodile.
Longtime deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, fired by Mugabe earlier this month, is set to be sworn in Friday after making a triumphant return to the country.
He greeted a cheering crowd Wednesday night.
Family friends of Mugabe and members of his security detail previously told MailOnline that the military were prepared to let the 93-year-old leave the country unharmed, but had a very different opinion when it came to his second wife – dubbed Gucci Grace because of her love of lavish shopping sprees.
One of his Mugabe’s protection team told MailOnline: ‘The generals promised him he could leave safely.
‘The generals were insisting that Grace must be prosecuted. It was a burning issue on Tuesday.
‘I don’t know what the outcome was, but they were insisting that they might forgive the old man but not Grace.’
But it appears Mugabe will not be leaving the country, but rather will live in Zimbabwe as a free man.
Mr Mnangagwa pledged to be a ‘servant’ to the people of Zimbabwe and promised a ‘new age of democracy’ for the country after four decades of dictatorial rule under his predecessor
Zimbabwe’s President Designate Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, on Wednesday gave his first speech to Zanu PF supporters since Mugabe resigned, claiming he was poisoned and decided to overthrow the dictator before he was ‘eliminated’
Mugabe was said to be ‘so depressed he couldn’t lift his feet’ as he watched his countrymen celebrate his departure, and was said to be confessing his sins to trusted advisor Father Mukonori.
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.
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.
There were wild celebrations among Zanu PF supporters who gathered to see The Crocodile speak in Harare, following a night of jubilation over Mugabe’s departure
Activists and human rights groups are already expressing concerns as Zimbabwe’s incoming leader prepares to be sworn in.
The pastor who led large anti-government protests last year, Evan Mawarire, said Zimbabweans should let Emmerson Mnangagwa know that the country should be for everyone and not just the ruling party.
Mr Mnangagwa in his first speech in his new role on Wednesday spoke about ‘working together’, but also recited slogans from the ruling Zanu-PF party.
Human Rights Watch is urging Zimbabwe’s military to publicly identify everyone detained after it swept in last week and took then-president Robert Mugabe under house arrest.
The military has said it was targeting ‘criminals’ close to first lady Grace Mugabe who were accused of hurting the economy.