Mugabe makes his first trip to SA since stepping down as president
Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday made his
first trip to South Africa since stepping down in a coup last year that saw an
abrupt end to his 37-year reign.
Travelling as an ordinary citizen on a flight from Zimbabwe bound for OR
Tambo International Airport in Joburg, the former Zanu-PF leader was accompanied
by about eight guards and a woman believed to be a nurse.
“One of the guards was on the phone talking about "colleagues from Pretoria,”
a passenger who was on the same flight said.
He added that when they landed, Mugabe was hidden in the cockpit and that all
the guards remained on the plane as they walked out.
It is thought that Mugabe is in the country to see his sons who live here as
well as to hold meetings with some of his longtime supporters.
His wife Grace, who last year courted controversy after allegedly assaulting
20-year-old model Gabriella Engels at a Joburg hotel with an extension cord, was
not with him.
Grace, who denied assaulting the woman at the time saying she was merely
defending herself from an “intoxicated” Engels, was later granted diplomatic
immunity and has not made a public appearance in the country since then.
The passenger on the flight also revealed that it was delayed.
“The plane was supposed to leave Harare at 7am. We only boarded at 10am. No
reasons were given.”
“When we were to take off the captain announced that "former President RG
Mugabe" was on board and also welcomed him to OR Tambo International,” he
said.
Back in Zimbabwe, Mugabe is facing a fair share of criticism as the ruling
party he once led has warned him to steer clear of meddling with its affairs
after it was discovered that he (Mugabe) met with and is backing a new
opposition party ahead of this year’s elections.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesman Ndivhuwo
Mabaya did not respond to requests for comment.
Source: The Star
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