Zimbabwean opposition urges forgiveness towards Mugabe

By John Cassim

HARARE, Zimbabwe

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Thursday called on Zimbabweans to forgive former President Robert Mugabe, saying vengeance would not help rebuild the country.

In a brief interview with Anadolu Agency, the head of the Movement for Democratic Change called for restraint in dealing with Mugabe, who resigned earlier this week.

“Revenge would not help rebuild the country,” he said. “The decision to resign is seen by Zimbabweans as dignified and I don’t think anyone would harm him.”

Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe into economic ruin and human rights abuses during the later years of his 37-year rule, resigned Tuesday in the face of impeachment following pressure from the military and members of his own Zanu-PF.

Tsvangirai served as prime minister from 2009 to 2013 but was among thousands to suffer persecution at the hands of Mugabe’s regime.

In 2007, he was attacked by police at a prayer meeting in the capital Harare along with fellow opposition leaders Lovemore Madhuku and Arthur Mutambara.

The following year more than 400 opposition supporters were abducted and killed during the presidential election, forcing Tsvangirai to pull out of the race.

Last week, the military took over the country and placed Mugabe, his wife Grace and dozens of his closest aides under house arrest.

The intervention followed a split within the Zanu-PF and the dismissal of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa amid a dispute over the succession.

Mnangagwa had previously been seen as the favorite but was replaced by Grace Mugabe, resulting in a split in the ruling party. He is due to be sworn-in as president on Friday.

- Promises

Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu, a supporter of Mnangagwa, reiterated that Mugabe and his family would not be harmed.

“We don’t want to behave like we are on agenda of vengeance as we are civilized,” he told South African-based SABC radio on Thursday.

However, as Mnangagwa prepared for his swearing-in ceremony, the fate of the Mugabes remained a topic of speculation.

Mugabe has not been seen since he defied calls to step down on Sunday night beyond a few photographs released by his opponents.

He and the former first lady are still thought to be in Harare but the conditions of their current existence are unknown.

Rumors that the couple had secured promises of protection and immunity from prosecution have also spread across the country.

President Edgar Lungu of neighboring Zambia and Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema called for Mugabe to be well-treated.

In separate statements issued Thursday, they called on Mnangagwa’s government to focus on rebuilding the country.

“The decision by President Mugabe to peacefully give up power after days of resistance is highly commended,” Lungu said. “As a way forward, we propose truce and reconciliation as the best option.”

Hichilema added: “President Mugabe accepted the will of the people. Looking back to what happened when he led Zimbabwe will only serve to divide the country.”

Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s longtime deputy, will complete the former president’s remaining term before an election next year.

* Francis Maingaila in Zambia contributed to this article.