Appearing in the media for the first time since the November coup, former President Robert Mugabe lamented how he felt betrayed by General Constantino Chiwenga.

“I didn’t think that commander retired General Constantino Chiwenga would do that. I thought if they had problems they would call and we sit down, talk and resolve the problem. We also thought that we had educated them enough and they wouldn’t do such things,” said Mugabe

Mugabe described his departure from office in November as a “coup d’etat” aired by South Africa’s state broadcaster on Thursday.

“I say it was a coup d’etat – some people have refused to call it a coup d’etat,” said Mugabe referring to the brief takeover by the army which led to Emmerson Mnangagwa assuming power after his resignation.

“(…) We must undo this disgrace we have imposed on ourselves,” he said.

Mugabe was forced to quit when the military stepped in and Zanu-PF lawmakers launched impeachment proceedings against their once beloved leader.

“It was truly a military takeover, there was no movement visible unless that movement was checked and allowed by the army,” said Mugabe.