Zimbabwean War Veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa (R), arrives at a meeting of the ruling ZANU-PF party in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 19, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

 

JOHANNESBURG: The leader of Zimbabwe?s war veterans said Sunday plans to impeach President Robert Mugabe would go ahead as scheduled after the 93-year-old leader defied expectations that he would resign in a national address.

Chris Mutsvangwa ? who has been leading a campaign to oust Mugabe ? told Reuters in a text message moments after Mugabe finished his speech that people would take to the streets of Harare on Wednesday.

Many Zimbabweans expected Mugabe to resign after the army seized power last week. But he delivered a speech alongside the uniformed generals who were behind the military intervention.

Mugabe defies resignation expectations in TV speech

Many Zimbabweans expected Mugabe to resign after the army seized power last week

"The (ruling ZANU-PF) party congress is due in a few weeks and I will preside over its processes," Mugabe said in his address, making no reference to the clamour for him to resign and pitching the country into further uncertainty.

Instead, he paid tribute to three pillars of power in Zimbabwe ? the military, the ruling party, and the war veterans movement ? and urged national solidarity.

"Whatever the pros and cons of how they (the army) went about their operation, I, as commander-in-chief, do acknowledge their concerns," said Mugabe.

"We must learn to forgive and resolve contradictions real or perceived in a comradely Zimbabwean spirit," he said.

Mugabe's address provoked immediate anger throughout the nation.