President Robert Mugabe will miss the inauguaration of former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa as the next president of Zimbabwe.
According to the state-controlled Herald newspaper, Mugabe will be resting at home as Mnangagwa takes over from the 93 year old, who was dumped by the ruling party following a military coup two weeks ago.
Information secretary George Charamba is quoted by the newspaper as saying that Mnangagwa informed the president that he is back in the country from exile and will be taking over the presidential post.
He said, “The President-elect and outgoing President spoke this afternoon firstly for the President-elect to formally indicate that he is now back in the country and secondly to brief President Mugabe on preparations for tomorrow’s event.
“He (Cde Mnangagwa) also assured the First Family not just of their own security and welfare, but the preservation of law and order throughout the country. Both of them agreed that the former President needed time to rest after the hectic events of the week-and-a-half that has gone by and that therefore he may not be attending tomorrow’s inauguration. He gave the incoming President his good wishes and support.
Zanu PF dumped Mugabe and opted for Mnangagwa who fled to South Africa soon after he was sacked by the then president for alleged disloyalty.