Mugabe’s Absence Brews Speculations of Wanting to Step Down

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has not been seen in the country since he cast his ballot in Harare on Saturday, giving air to speculations that he is speculating to step down and that he now may be in Malaysia where he maintains a holiday home.

Unconfirmed reports reaching APA in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, said the veteran Zimbabwean leader was negotiating with the opposition to strike out an exit deal that would guarantee him immunity from prosecution.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is considering stepping down amid speculation he lost heavily to opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, in a presidential elections held last weekend, APA learnt Tuesday.

APA was not able to independently get confirmation from Mugabe or ZANU PF about the alleged negotiations.

The main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change, has since Sunday claimed that Tsvangirai had beaten Mugabe in the March 29 presidential poll.

Meanwhile, MDC secretary general Tendai Biti dismissed the negotiations which he said were part of a rumour mill caused by the delay in releasing election results.

“That’s not true. It’s a reflection of a rumor mill fueled by delay in announcing the results,” said Biti.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has delayed releasing full results of the polls.

This has led Zimbabweans to speculate that Mugabe was trying to manipulate the elections.

Mugabe is on the one hand accused of ruthlessly dealing with dissenting voices during his 28-year reign in Zimbabwe, while others admire him for championing the cause of a belated freedom from colonial rule for Africans.

Source African Press Agency

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