Zimbabwe parliament starts process to impeach Robert Mugabe
November 21, 2017
Lawmakers have gathered in parliament as the ruling ZANU-PF party moves to start impeachment proceedings against President Robert Mugabe. Earlier, Zimbabwe's ousted vice president urged the 93-year-old to step down.
Image: Reuters/P. Bulawayo
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Zimbabwe's parliament began an impeachment process against President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday after he failed to resign.
The ruling ZANU-PF party made a motion to impeach Mugabe, who has been in power for 37 years, with the opposition MDC party seconding the move.
The 93-year-old leader is accused of being too old to rule and allowing his wife, Grace Mugabe, to "usurp" power.
Parliamentary speaker Jacob Mudenda said parliament will move to a hotel later in the afternoon to debate the motion and start the proceedings. It is not clear how long the process will take. Some lawmakers have suggested Mugabe could be voted out as early as Wednesday or Thursday.
— Impeachment motion must be passed by both houses of parliament
— A committee is set up to investigate charges against Mugabe and determine if there is evidence he should be impeached
— The Parliament and the senate then vote on impeachment. A two-thirds majority is needed to pass
The week that changed Zimbabwe
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe was removed as the ZANU-PF party's leader after holding the post for 37 years. The party’s youth league, the military and his supporters also withdrew from backing Mugabe.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B.Curtis
Mnangagwa, Grace Mugabe go head to head
In November 2018, Robert Mugabe dismissed his vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, after accusing him of "plotting a coup against the government." Some Zimbabweans feared Mugabe was grooming his wife, Grace Mugabe, to take over in the event of his death.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Njikizana
Chiwenga's warning
On November 13, 2017, General Constantino Chiwenga, commander of Zimbabwe's Defense Force, warned that the army could "step in" to save the country from political tension and economic crisis.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Njikizana
Tanks in Harare
Military and armored vehicles were seen at the outskirts of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, on November 14, 2017. On the same day, the military also took over the state-run broadcaster ZBC.
Image: Reuters/P. Bulawayo
Mugabe safe in army hands
On November 15, 2017, Major General SB Moyo, the military spokesman, announced on the ZBC that Mugabe and his family were "safe and sound and their security was guaranteed." He said the military was targeting "criminals around" Mugabe who were "committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering."
Image: Reuters/ZBC
A 'smiling' Mugabe meets Chiwenga
On November 16, 2017, General Constantino Chiwenga, along with other officials, was seen in military uniform meeting President Robert Mugabe (C) at the State House. It was reported that Mugabe was smiling as they both shook hands. However, the leaders of ZANU-PF announced that there was "no going back."
Image: Reuters/Zimpapers/J. Nyadzayo
Mugabe puts in a public appearance
After being placed under house arrest, Mugabe appeared publicly at a university graduation ceremony on November 17, 2017. Here, a military officer adjusts a chair for Mugabe, who is dressed in a blue-and-yellow academic gown, to sit on after arriving to preside over the ceremony. Mugabe, who was reportedly tired, was then caught falling asleep.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B. Curtis
Zimbabweans call on Mugabe to go
On November 18, 2017, residents of the capital, Harare, held a protest with anti-Mugabe placards demanding the president's resignation. Veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for Mugabe to be forced from office.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/Z. Auntony
Mugabe ousted from ZANU-PF leadership
Zimbabwean War Veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa (R) arrived at a meeting of the ruling ZANU-PF party in Harare November 19, 2017. After hours of deliberation, the party announced that it had decided to fire Mugabe as leader of the party.
Image: Reuters/P. Bulawayo
Mugabe does not step down
Many expected that after being recalled as ZANU-PF party leader, President Mugabe would use his address to the nation resign with dignity. Zimbabweans were left shocked after the rambling speech made no reference to him stepping down. Mugabe now faces impeachment, with proceedings believed to be starting on Tuesday.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/Str
End of an era
Rather than face impeachment proceedings, Robert Mugabe prompted dancing in the streets of Harare when he resigned on November 22. "My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power," the 93-year-old said in a letter.
Image: picture-alliance/AP/T. Mukwazhi
Euphoria in Harare
Supporters of Emmerson Mnangagwa celebrate the end of four decades under Mugabe. Mnangagwa was joined by cheering crowds after he returned to Zimbabwe from exile in neighboring South Africa. He is expected to be sworn in on November 24.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B.Curtis
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Thousands gather outside parliament
Mugabe's once loyal ZANU-PF party and other lawmakers across the political spectrum have called on the 93-year-old leader to quit.
A large crowd gathered outside parliament as the session opened with some carrying signs that read: "Mugabe must go."
A majority of Mugabe's government ministers boycotted a Tuesday Cabinet meeting called by the president, state media reported. Only five ministers and the attorney general turned up, while 17 others attended ZANU-PF talks to plan Mugabe's impeachment.
South African President Jacob Zuma and Angolan President Joao Lourenco announced that they would fly to Zimbabwe on Wednesday after holding talks with other leaders in the 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc.
The leaders held an emergency summit on the instability in Zimbabwe and "noted with great concern the unfolding political situation," the SADC said in a statement.
"The people of Zimbabwe have spoken with one voice and it is my appeal to President Mugabe that he should take heed of this clarion call by the people of Zimbabwe to resign, so that the country can move forward and preserve his legacy," Mnangagwa said in a statement.
Ex-VP Mnangagwa (L), known as 'The Crocodile' for his ruthlessness, is backed by the armyImage: picture alliance/dpa/AP Photo/T. Mukwazhi
Mnangagwa, who is the favorite to replace Mugabe, said he fled the country because his life was threatened after being purged from the ruling ZANU-PF party. He confirmed that Mugabe invited him to return "for a discussion," but that he would not do so unless his safety is guaranteed.
"I told the president that I would not return home now until I am satisfied of my personal security, because of the manner and treatment given to me upon being fired," Mnangagwa said.
He added that "given the events that followed my dismissal I cannot trust my life in President Mugabe's hands."
Mnangagwa's firing led to last week's military takeover, setting off a chain of events to oust 93-year-old Mugabe from office. He is supported by the army and the influential war veterans association, both of which were afraid Mugabe might hand over power to his wife, Grace Mugabe.
On Sunday, ZANU-PF dismissed Mugabe as party leader and gave him a Monday deadline to step down. Mugabe ignored the ultimatum and surprised many by announcing plans to stay in power during a televised address to the nation.
