Speaking to Blessed Mhlanga, Walter Mzembi has described what happened during the coup when he was the last G40 Minister in Zimbabwe. Mzembi said Mugabe cried to him on the phone after a solution that was being proposed by SADC failed.

TIMELINE

Mzembi says he was dispatched by President Mugabe as a special envoy to deliver a letter to six presidents in the region, starting with President Lungu in Zambia. The letter informed them of developments in Zimbabwe, including the dismissal of then-Vice President Mnangagwa, and invited them to a congress in December 2017 where Mugabe intended to step down and allow the party to elect a successor.

Here’s a breakdown of the events that followed Mzembi’s arrival in Zambia:

    • Meeting with President Lungu (Zambia):
      • On November 14th, 2017 (Tuesday), Mzembi was in Zambia.
      • President Lungu informed Mzembi that Mnangagwa was not in Zambia.
      • Lungu stated that Zambia would accept and look after both Mzembi and Mnangagwa if they needed refuge, as they both had roots in Zambia.
      • Crucially, Lungu warned Mzembi of an impending coup in Zimbabwe and urged him to return to Harare to get Mugabe to “smoke the peace pipe” with the generals for a dignified exit. This was the first time Mzembi heard about the coup.
    • Return to Harare:
      • Instead of proceeding to South Africa to meet President Zuma, Mzembi flew back to Harare on November 14th, 2017, intending to mediate between Mugabe and the generals.
      • He was unable to reach President Mugabe as his phones seemed to have been taken away.
      • Mzembi decided to wait for the cabinet meeting on Tuesday (presumably November 15th, 2017, if the previous day was a Tuesday and the cabinet meeting was the next day) to pass on Lungu’s message.
    • Attempt to Warn Mugabe:
      • At the cabinet meeting (presumably November 15th, 2017), Mzembi tried to speak to Mugabe privately, but Mugabe proceeded with the meeting and never made himself available, which Mzembi later understood was due to conspirators in the room blocking the message.
      • The cabinet meeting ended, and Mugabe was ushered home without Mzembi being able to deliver the warning.
    • The Coup Unfolds:
      • Around midnight/1:00 AM (presumably early morning of November 15th, 2017, following the cabinet meeting), Mzembi received a call from Blue Roof (Mugabe’s residence) informing him that the coup was unraveling and advising him to secure his family.
      • While on the call, he witnessed on his security monitor his police protection unit being beaten by soldiers who were looking for him. His guards told the soldiers he had gone to South Africa.
      • Mzembi then arranged for his family’s safe passage to Lusaka and then to the US via the Cuban embassy.
    • SADC Mediation Efforts:
      • The following day (presumably November 16th, 2017, Thursday), Dr. Stergomena Tax from SADC contacted Mzembi, asking him to draft a solution for SADC to consider to avert an undignified exit for Mugabe.
      • Mzembi was also in communication with Mugabe, trying to make him understand the gravity of the situation. He suggested Mugabe hear from a second party and arranged for South African envoys (two ministers from the security cluster) to come.
      • Mugabe initially downplayed the situation to the South African ministers, telling them there was no crisis Zimbabweans couldn’t resolve themselves. However, he later called Mzembi asking for the ministers to return, stating the situation had worsened, but they had already flown back.
    • Proposed SADC Solution:
      • Mzembi, working with foreign ministers from South Africa, Zambia, and Angola, drafted a multi-point solution that SADC accepted. The key points included:
        • Nullifying ongoing processes (like the impeachment).
        • Reinstating Mnangagwa to his party and national vice-president positions.
        • Setting aside “toxic elements” (a list of four ministers: Saviour Kasukuwere, Jonathan Moyo, Ignatius Chombo, and Patrick Zhuwao).
        • Excommunicating the First Lady, Grace Mugabe, from party/national office.
        • Proceeding to the December 2017 Congress, allowing Mnangagwa to participate freely, with the winner being handheld to the June 2018 election.
      • Mugabe agreed to these conditions over the phone.
    • Failed Intervention:
      • President Lourenço of Angola, then SADC chair, wanted to fly to Harare to enforce this solution, and Mugabe agreed.
      • However, Lourenço was denied landing rights at Harare International Airport, an act Mzembi later learned was orchestrated by his own Permanent Secretary, Joey Bimha.
    • Mugabe’s Resignation:
      • President Kaunda of Zambia called Mugabe and persuaded him to step down due to the escalating situation.
      • This was the last time Mzembi spoke to Mugabe as president. Within 15 minutes, Mugabe had capitulated and resigned, later telling Mzembi he was forced by “gunboat.” Mzembi felt the SADC solution could have prevented this if implemented.

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