Cape Town – A picture of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, 93, and his wife Grace – purported to have been taken just before the nonagenarian signed his resignation letter on Tuesday – has gone viral on social media.
This is the first picture that has emerged since Mugabe stepped down.
The picture shows Mugabe and his wife with the veteran leader’s “friends”, including the country’s former reserve bank governor Gideon Gono.
Grace looks “humbled”.
Writes social media user @mtyala: “Grace looks like she hasn’t slept in days, the arrogance wiped from her face. What’s “stress” in Shona?
See the picture and the reaction from various social media users below.
A report by AP on Thursday said that Mugabe had not been seen outside a few photographs since his stunning speech to the nation on Sunday night in which he defied calls to step down.
Mugabe was said to remain in the capital, Harare, with his wife but it was not clear under what terms. Some were wondering whether he had secured guarantees of protection, including immunity from prosecution, the report said.
Longtime deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, fired by Mugabe earlier this month, was set to be sworn in on Friday after making a triumphant return to the country. He greeted a cheering crowd on Wednesday night.
