Mugabe to receive immunity against prosecution as part of resignation deal

Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe has been granted immunity against prosecution and assured protection in Zimbabwe as part of a deal that led to his resignation on Tuesday.

Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe for 30 years and the Zanu-PF for 37, finally stepped down after he faced a losing the battle when his own party fired him on Sunday. He will be replaced by Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is set to be sworn in as president on Friday.

The 93-year-old does not plan on living in exile and wishes to die in Zimbabwe, said a government source close to the negotiations.

“It was very emotional for him, and he was forceful about it. 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,” said the source.

By choosing to resign, the former president actually did himself a financial favour, as an impeachment process would have seen him get fired with no benefits.

Mugabe will continue to earn the same salary earned by a sitting president. He claimed in an interview in 2015 that he was earning $12 000 (R167 064) a month.

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