Robert
Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s strongman leader of 37 years who presided over the collapse
of what was one of Africa’s most promising post-independence states, has
died aged 95.
Mugabe died
in a hospital in Singapore surrounded by family including his wife, Grace,
sources said.
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| Robert Mugabe has died aged 95 |
“Sadly, we
have lost him. It’s a day we hoped would never come, but he has had a good
innings and is now rested,” a former minister in Mugabe’s government said,
declining to be named.
Mugabe,
ousted from power in a military coup in November 2017 after 37 years in power,
had been receiving treatment in Singapore since April.
After widespread
reports of his death the President of the African republic Emmerson Dambudzo
Mnangagwa confirmed the news on twitter.
He wrote: "It is with the utmost sadness
that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe's founding father and former
President, Cde Robert Mugabe.
"Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a
pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of
his people.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa told a Cabinet
meeting two weeks ago that doctors had “taken him off life support.”
“There’s
nothing more they can do for him,” Mnangagwa told Cabinet, according to a
minister who was present.
"His contribution to
the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul
rest eternal peace."
ZimLive first reported the death of the man who
led the country during two spells from 1980 to 2017.
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| Margaret Thatcher with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in 1988 |
This led to an outpouring of tributes to the
former prime minister and president, who was said to have passed away in a
Singapore hospital after battling ill health.
Dewa Mavhinga, Southern
Africa director for Human Rights Watch, said Mugabe's nephew told him about the
former Prime Minister's death.
Mr Mavhinga added that three ex-ministers who
served in Mugabe's cabinet then confirmed the news.
The message confirming his death said:
"Gushungo is no more. Rest in Peace Sekuru."
Gushungo is Mugabe’s
clan name and sekuru means uncle.
Fadzayi Mahere, the secretary for education for
the opposition party MDC Zimbabwe, tweeted: "Rest In Peace, Robert Mugabe.
"My response to your passing is
complicated. I’m going to write a long piece.
"However, for now, deepest condolences to
his family."
Robert Mugabe rose to
power as leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union, which fought a war
against white minority rule in what was then called Rhodesia.
The militants won the war in 1979, achieving
universal suffrage and paving the way for Mugabe's victory in the 1980 general
election.
The dictator gained a reputation for violence
over the next two decades and made international headlines when he
requisitioned white farmers' land and gave it to black residents.
This redistribution policy led to a mass exodus
of the white population, throwing the country into an economic crisis.
The tyrant was eventually ousted from power in
2017 after widespread protests and a military takeover.
He is thought to have been receiving medical
treatment in Singapore at the time of his death.
Controversial Mugabe
was accused of vote rigging, intimidation and embezzlement before being booted
from power in 2017 after a military coup.
However the Zimbabwean leader was given the
royal treatment on his state visit to the UK 25 years ago, including a carriage
ride with the Queen and a lavish banquet.
The invitation was extended despite his
reported involvement in the deaths of 10,000 people during a crackdown of
opposition parties.
He was awarded the
Honorary Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Bath only for the honour to be
withdrawn in 2008.
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| Zimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe casts his ballot in the general elections in 2018 |
In 2017 Mugabe was controversially granted
immunity from prosecution - with cast-iron assurances that his safety would be
protected in his home country as part of the deal that led to his resignation.
Mugabe, then 93, told negotiators he did not
want to live in exile and wanted to die in Zimbabwe.
Emmerson
“The Crocodile” Mnangagwa, the former vice president sacked by Mugabe earlier
that month, was then sworn in.
Others were not so kind
in their tributes to the former leader.
One man wrote: "Zimbabweans as well as
other African influx to SA is because of the likes of Mugabe, his greed,
barbarism towards blacks and economy caused many untold stories in his country
"Many Africans will celebrate him as a
hero cos they never experienced him."
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