Zimbabwe war veterans calls for protest against Mugabe

Zimbabwe independence war veterans has called for a protest against president Robert Mugabe on Saturday while the military say it would advise the public on the outcome of talks "as soon as possible".

President Mugabe, 93 was kept under house arrest by the military on Wednesday after the army announced it has taken over the south African country. 

The army made its move after a power struggle over his successor.

The military said on Friday it was "engaging" with Mr Mugabe and would advise the public on the outcome of talks "as soon as possible".

According to report, the generals took over Zimbabwe after the vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa was abruptly sacked by Mugabe last week and Mugabe’s wife Grace emerged in prime position to succeed her increasingly frail husband.

But Mnangagwa, who had fled the country after his sacking, returned to the country on Thursday and seems poised to play a central role in shaping developments.

Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since 1980.

Talks were held by Mugabe and the army chiefs on Thursday but no official statement was issued on the status of negotiations that could see him eased out of office.

Chris Mutsvangwa, chairman of the influential war veterans' association in Zimbabwe gestures during a news conference in Harare. Picture: APSource:AP

Meanwhile the chairman of the independence war veterans’ association, Chris Mutsvangwa, on Friday said that “the game is up” for Mr Mugabe and called for a protests against the president.

It’s done, it’s finished ... The generals have done a fantastic job,” he said at a press conference in Harare as he called for a mass demonstration on Saturday.

We want to restore our pride and tomorrow is the day ... we can finish the job which the army started.

Veterans of Zimbabwe’s independence war were loyal supporters of Mr Mugabe, but they turned against him as friction grew between the president and the military.

The military said on Friday they had detained some “criminals” in Mr Mugabe’s government in a reference to supporters of Grace’s presidential ambitions.

But Grace has not been seen since the military takeover which has not overtly called for President Mugabe’s resignation.

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Picture: APSource:AP

Meanwhile, Morgan Tsvangirai, a former prime minister and long-time opponent of Mugabe, has said Mr Mugabe must resign “in the interest of the people”, adding that “a transitional mechanism” would be needed to ensure peace.