Zimbabwe's Mugabe on Live TV Ignores Calls for Resignation

The beleaguered Mugabe made no mention of his expected resignation in a televised speech on Sunday, claiming only that the overwhelming calls to have him step down do not threaten the country's constitution or his authority as supreme commander and president.

Although his own ruling African National Union — Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party has fired him, Mugabe, who is 93, is still insisting that he will represent the faction at an upcoming December congress. 

Mugabe, confined to his home by the nation's military, has been ordered by his party to resign from the presidency by Monday or face impeachment.

After 38 years of rule, the autocratic leader is not expected to go easily, according to reports.

On Wednesday, Mugabe was confined to his house by soldiers. The military deployed armored vehicles in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare and took control of the state-owned broadcaster. Zimbabwe Defense Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Sibusiso Moyo said in a televised address that the military action was aimed at protecting the nation from "criminals" in Mugabe's administration. Moreover, Mugabe's 52-year-old wife Grace, who had harboured ambitions of succeeding her husband, was also expelled from the party, along with at least three cabinet ministers.

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of mostly young people flooded the streets of Harare. They were singing, dancing and hugging soldiers in an outpouring of elation at Mugabe's expected overthrow.

The turmoil came after Mugabe dismissed and ousted Mnangagwa from the ruling party. The nation's defense forces chief, Constantine Chiwenga, warned the president on Monday to stop the purge within the party.