Robert Mugabe, the deposed former president of Zimbabwe called a press conference at his mansion in Harare, Zimbabwe on the eve of the Zimbabwean elections. Reporters rushed to his home to hear what he had to say and it was live streamed on Facebook by Open Parly ZW. Mugabe looked very old and rambled on a lot, without making it clear initially what he was trying to say. He talked very slowly as he sat back in a chair with the backdrop of vegetation behind him and it was hard to follow his speech.

The unconstitutional coup

Mainly though, he talked about the coup and called it unconstitutional.

"Illegal things happened," he said, "and decisions were taken on the basis of who is my friend and who is my relative." People who tuned into the site heard him say there were stories of "nonsense" like those who said that the "president wanted to leave his wife." He then said "all of that is nonsense"

Mugabe said what was "happening on the ground, even in ZANU PF made him feel "sad." He reminded the reporters that he founded ZANU PF. He said he was regarded now, as an enemy. Referring to the armed people during the coup, he said that they supposedly protected him, but how come he is "treated as an opponent of those in government?" He added that people could not visit him. "One person came and was allowed to pass through the gate.

But then he was asked what was discussed. Then relatives were harassed. "Why? It's completely absurd," he said.

Mugabe's angry people are being arrested and detained for corruption

Mugabe seems upset that some high-up members of his regime are being arrested or detained for corruption - though he never said the word. He rambled on a bit and mentioned that "some people in the party had to run away" after Mnangagwa took over "and they are temporary refugees." He added, "This is what we have.

We have people still outside. People like Professor Jonathan Moyo and Kasukwere. People have been imprisoned and harassed." Mugabe said listeners would be "shocked" if they knew about the fact that there are terrorists in the country. "We had become a democratic country," he said. "But now they are undemocratic and it's all illegal and unconstitutional"

Furious with Ed Mnangagwa

Next Mugabe turned to the election and it was clear that he was very angry with Ed Mnangagwa, the current president of the country.

"I am talking on the eve of the day I longed for," he said. "Let the people go and vote. Let them go and vote freely and I'm glad. People will be allowed to go and vote freely and the result will be recognised. Fine. We (using the multiple term of the queen) appreciate that.

In his own words, the former dictator said "For the first time, we have now a long list of aspirants to power. I must say this clearly." Speaking of voting he added, "I cannot vote for those who have tormented me. I can't. I will make my choice among the other 22," - obviously referring to Mnangagwa. He mentioned Chamisa (MCD opposition) and denied he had ever worked with him. He did say he had met the previous MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mugabe also wished "Chamisa well if he wins."

Mugabe hopes for more personal freedom after the elections

Mugabe seems to hope that the reform that comes will free him and his henchmen who are answerable for the corruption and abuse of power that drained the country and crashed the economy. Perhaps that's, why he said "the election coming up, is a great event" and he hopes that "reform will come." He hopes that the election will thrust away bad things and "bring back the constitution." He demanded a "democratic constitution" and perked up a bit then and reminded everyone "that was what we fought for."

Mugabe said that people need to remember that "the people's voices and people's freedom comes first and foremost," adding "we waged our struggle for the freedom of Zimbabwe and we had that freedom." However, this was where he omitted to mention the Ghukurhandi massacres, even though he said people had been able to belong to any party of their own choice "and go about freely.

To feel free," he said, "is important."

Obviously not enjoying his seclusion, he said that said his friends message him and "say they cannot visit me" as they are afraid. He was angry that this was being done by people who worked with him for the freedom of the country. "There should be a big no at guns directed at politics," he stated firmly "Tomorrow the people must say they will never again use guns to thrust one person into power. A number of people died. We shall investigate that after the election tomorrow.

"So the election tomorrow I ask. Let it bring constitutionality, freedom and democracy, rather than the return of the same rules we have experienced since November. I say in advance, congratulations to whoever or whichsoever party wins the day. And let us accept that verdict. Let us all pray that tomorrow brings us good news." He added the people of Zimbabwe need to "say that what happened in November is now history" and let the women ululate.

Feeling the seclusion

Mugabe also said that he was sure the people would be happy to interact with him as he was not able to do so for the time being. "If you are put in a high place where you are a leader," he said, "you are the president of a country, you have rules that must guide you.

You don't get the rules from those who come and sit next to you and say someone needs undoing. You must obey the rules. I say so."

Mugabe complains about no money

Next, Mugabe intimated he was broke and complained that after he resigned he had to "go to the pension office to say what am I entitled to?" He said, "They said they would tell me what my entitlements are. They said I was worth $460,000. That was the total amount. People talk about 10 million," he laughed. About his mansion, he said slowly they managed to build it, paying off a little year by year as he had no money. He had hoped to build it "Chinese style" to honour the Chinese for helping to train the soldiers. However, the Yugoslavs who built it messed up the roof.

He said that now the roof is beginning to sag and in two years the house will be dangerous and they need to rebuild the roof. He said they wanted money to repair their house but the government will not give him an answer. They just don't give him an answer about his needs.

"So there it is," he finally ended. "It's not a good life but the tomorrow that is coming will go well."

Viewer reactions on Facebook live

Meanwhile, viewers were hardly sobbing in their cups over his pleas of poverty and hardship. One commenter said, "We also lost our savings under your brutal rule." Another said, "This man deserves nothing. Zimbabwe doesn't owe you a thing." Yet another mentioned that "We can't access our cash from the bank." Another reminded everyone about Grace Mugabe, writing, "I thought Grace Mugabe was a business woman and a woman of means???

1 million dollar ring?? How in the heck was she going to afford that? Not to forget that $60 000 watch his kids were flashing AND the millions they spent in South African night clubs."

What was the purpose of Mugabe's press invite? People who lived in Zimbabwe recall the last time he tried to sound reasonable about an upcoming referendum. The result went the wrong way and kickstarted the seizure of farmland in a matter of months.
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