Mnangagwa added in a short statement that he “noted recent remarks made to the media” by Mugabe who spoke to foreign journalists at a location in Harare on Thursday.
It was Mugabe’s first public statement since his resignation in November which was triggered by a brief military takeover and the threat of a no-confidence motion tabled in parliament by his own ZANU-PF party.
“I say it was a coup d’etat — some people have refused to call it a coup d’etat,” Mugabe, 94, told South Africa’s SABC broadcaster, referring to the brief army takeover which led to Mnangagwa assuming power after Mugabe’s resignation.
“We must undo this disgrace which we have imposed on ourselves, we don’t deserve it… Zimbabwe doesn’t deserve it.”
Mnangagwa’s brief response, posted on his official Twitter account and bearing the seal of the presidency, added that Mugabe “is entitled to express himself freely, as is the case for any private citizen”.
“The nation has moved on. Our focus at this time shall remain on preparing for free, fair and credible elections in 2018.”
Mnangagwa, 75, stressed that “the Zimbabwe government continues to honour all its obligations towards the former President’s welfare and benefits, as provided for under the Constitution of Zimbabwe”.
AFP
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