by Elijah Chihota

Former President Robert Mugabe has joined other progressive Zimbabweans and organisations in endorsing the election of President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the July 30 harmonised elections in which he defeated 22 other presidential hopefuls.

This came out of the former leader’s address to people who gathered at his Borrowdale home yesterday to console the family following the death of his wife’s mother, Ambuya Idah Marufu last week.

“There was an election, Zanu-PF was represented by Emmerson Mnangagwa and (Nelson) Chamisa represented MDC-Alliance and results came out saying the person who won was Emmerson Mnangagwa and I said zvava mugwara zvino,” said Mr Mugabe.

He noted that he had accepted the outcome of the election and there was civilian rule in the country.

“We have accepted the result and we hope that we will continue respecting the will of the people,” he said.

Mr Mugabe was previously bitter claiming that he had been removed from the office unceremoniously in November 2017. On the eve of the 30 July elections, Mr Mugabe vowed not to vote for President Mnangagwa. His bitterness towards the new administration has, however, since toned down.

During the run up to the elections, Mr Mugabe indicated that he would not vote for Zanu PF, which he described as his tormentors. “As for whom I will vote. There are 23 presidential candidates in this election. I will choose from the 22 (minus President Mnangagwa). I cannot vote for those who have tormented me, no I can’t!” said Mr Mugabe then.

The MDC Alliance under the leadership of Chamisa has been refusing to accept that President Mnangagwa won the election and it has tried in vain to stop the inauguration by approaching the Constitutional Court for redress, but the court upheld President Mnangagwa’s victory.