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'Want me to punch you?' says Mugabe at TV interviewer's retirement question | 'Want me to punch you?' says Mugabe at TV interviewer's retirement question |
(6 months later) | |
“Do you want me to punch you to the floor to realise I am still there?” So said Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, 92, to a TV interviewer who asked him about his retirement and who might replace him. | “Do you want me to punch you to the floor to realise I am still there?” So said Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, 92, to a TV interviewer who asked him about his retirement and who might replace him. |
“Why ‘successor’ when I am still there?” Mugabe said in the interview was broadcast on Thursday night. “Why do you want a successor?” | “Why ‘successor’ when I am still there?” Mugabe said in the interview was broadcast on Thursday night. “Why do you want a successor?” |
Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since the country was formed in 1980 from the ashes of white-ruled Rhodesia, said he had no plans to hand over power and ruled out grooming his politically ambitious wife, Grace, as his chosen successor. | Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since the country was formed in 1980 from the ashes of white-ruled Rhodesia, said he had no plans to hand over power and ruled out grooming his politically ambitious wife, Grace, as his chosen successor. |
“Grooming a successor, is it an inheritance?” he asked. “In a democratic party you don’t want leaders appointed that way. They have to be appointed properly by the people. Succession is not part of our culture.” | “Grooming a successor, is it an inheritance?” he asked. “In a democratic party you don’t want leaders appointed that way. They have to be appointed properly by the people. Succession is not part of our culture.” |
Mugabe turned 92 on 21 February amid fierce squabbling in the ruling Zanu-PF party in anticipation of his succession. | Mugabe turned 92 on 21 February amid fierce squabbling in the ruling Zanu-PF party in anticipation of his succession. |
Still, he defended his wife’s entry into politics and criticised people for badmouthing her. | Still, he defended his wife’s entry into politics and criticised people for badmouthing her. |
On Thursday, spokesman Simon Khaya Moyo of the ruling Zanu-PF party announced the suspension from the party of cabinet minister Chris Mutsvangwa and several other officials on allegations of disrespecting the first lady. | On Thursday, spokesman Simon Khaya Moyo of the ruling Zanu-PF party announced the suspension from the party of cabinet minister Chris Mutsvangwa and several other officials on allegations of disrespecting the first lady. |
In the interview, Mugabe said mining companies recently kicked out of Marange diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe “robbed us of our wealth”, claiming billions of dollars were siphoned in gem smuggling. | In the interview, Mugabe said mining companies recently kicked out of Marange diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe “robbed us of our wealth”, claiming billions of dollars were siphoned in gem smuggling. |
Some of the firms have gone to court challenging the order for them to leave the diamond-rich area. | Some of the firms have gone to court challenging the order for them to leave the diamond-rich area. |
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