Jonathan Moyo, formerly Robert Mugabe's powerful Information Minister and now born-again Independent Member of Parliament and government critic has said in an interview in a South African newspaper, The Mail and Guardian, that Mugabe would face a "very high threat of a palace coup" if he refused to retire voluntarily. "Compelling forces are gathering against Mugabe's continued rule." You can read the article here.
In other news, Mugabe is today in the Tanzanian capital Dar e Salaam for an extraordinary summit of the heads of state of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) on the subject of "regional security". A primary subject of discussion is expected to be the crisis in Zimbabwe.
It is expected that a group of heads of state led by the Zambian President Levy Mwanawassa, Botswana President, Festus Mogae, and the Tanzanian President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, and joined by the Mozambican President and master of "quiet diplomacy", Thabo Mbeki, will finally tell Robert Mubage that it is time for him to go. Whether that includes a public statement to that effect or whether it will all happen behind doors is to be seen.
In any event, there are strong indications that, if this happens, that it will truly represent a new and positive turn towards the resolution of the disaster in Zimbabwe.
