World

Mugabe makes first public appearance since military put him under house arrest

Robert Mugabe arrives to preside over a student graduation ceremony at Zimbabwe Open University on the outskirts of Harare PICTURE: Ben Curtis/AP
Robert Mugabe arrives to preside over a student graduation ceremony at Zimbabwe Open University on the outskirts of Harare PICTURE: Ben Curtis/AP Robert Mugabe arrives to preside over a student graduation ceremony at Zimbabwe Open University on the outskirts of Harare PICTURE: Ben Curtis/AP

Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has made his first public appearance since the military put him under house arrest this week, attending a graduation ceremony on the outskirts of Harare.

His appearance came as the military announced "significant progress" on talks for his departure and arrested some of his allies, and branches of the ruling party began to pass no-confidence votes in the world's oldest head of state.

Mugabe attended the Zimbabwe Open University graduation event, to polite applause, amid an extraordinary series of negotiations with regional leaders over his departure after 37 years in power.

Zimbabwe's military is taking pains to show respect for the 93-year-old by referring to him as the president and the commander-in-chief.

But some in the ruling Zanu-PF party signalled they were getting impatient with Mugabe, with party branches passing no-confidence votes in the provinces of Mashonaland East and Manicaland. Others among the country's 10 provinces, including Midlands, Masvingo and Harare, were said to be following suit.

Parliament is expected to resume sitting on Tuesday. It is possible that Zanu-PF could use party procedures to impeach Mugabe with the support of opposition legislators.

Mugabe has asked for "a few more days, a few more months", the chairman of the influential war veterans' association in Zimbabwe told reporters.

Chris Mutsvangwa, an ally of the recently fired vice-president who is expected to lead any new government, said that "between now and tomorrow" they will warn Mugabe that the game is over.

"If he doesn't leave, we will settle the scores tomorrow."

Mr Mutsvangwa also said three cabinet ministers have been arrested in the military's efforts to pursue Mugabe allies. Education minister Jonathan Moyo, local government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and finance minister Ignatious Chombo "are in jail" along with a number of others.

Mugabe did not make a speech at the ceremony, merely announcing its opening to applause after joining the crowd in the national anthem. Arriving in suit and tie, he put on an academic gown and hat and walked slowly in a red-carpet procession to a podium as a marching band played.

The military statement reported by the state-run Herald newspaper and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation said its leaders were "engaging with the Commander-in-Chief President Robert Mugabe on the way forward and will advise the nation of the outcome as soon as possible".

"Significant progress has been made in their operation to weed out criminals around President Mugabe," the statement said, adding that the military had arrested some while others remained at large. They had been "committing crimes that were causing social and economic suffering in Zimbabwe".

The military is seeking senior officials who were associates of first lady Grace Mugabe, part of a clique dubbed the G40 because many were in their forties and fifties – a different generation from the one that fought for independence from white minority rule.

Ms Mugabe's rapid political rise had alarmed many who feared she could succeed her husband after he fired his long-time deputy Mr Mnangagwa last week. That firing set off the military's moves.

There was no sign of the first lady at Friday's graduation ceremony.

Army troops and armoured vehicles continue to patrol the capital Harare as Zimbabweans go about their daily business. Residents said they had feared at first when the military moved in but praised the calm.