Mnangagwa speaks on Mugabe package, immunity

By Takunda Maodza

President Emmerson  Mnangagwa yesterday opened up on former President Robert Mugabe’s retirement package and the immunity status of the ex-First Lady in an interview in Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

He dismissed media reports suggesting that the former president got a $10 million retirement package and that his family enjoys full immunity from prosecution, but pledged to ensure they were living in peace.

When asked if he had given former First Lady Grace Mugabe immunity from prosecution, President Mnangagwa said: “No. We have not given anybody any immunity. What I promised to my former president and the founding father of our nation, President Mugabe, is that first we give him a package — a very lucrative package.”

The interviewer sought confirmation that the package amounted to $10 million, to which President Mnangagwa retorted: “There is no figure, but it is a question of him continuing to enjoy his salary, his allowances as before, offices, security and travel by first class.

“My Government will also facilitate him going to Singapore for medical check-up. All those things including the First Lady. We are going to do that.” President Mnangagwa clarified the position on the immunity from prosecution for the former First Lady.

“So we are not saying anybody commits a crime then the former status will stop the police dealing with that issue, but I am saying that the new administration will do everything possible to make sure the family lives in peace, undisturbed. This is what I want,” said President Mnangagwa. He said his administration adopted a zero tolerance to corruption.

“My approach is zero tolerance to any corruption,” he said. “No sacred cow in dealing with that. If you are following what is happening in Zimbabwe today, so many high profile persons have been brought before the courts and this is only in less than two months . . . and the list is unending.” The Herald