Former President Robert Mugabe has fallen from Grace. During his 37 years as leader, Mugabe enjoyed unparalleled and unquestioned state media attention, all in the past now. The state media has not only dropped the cde prefix before Mugabe’s name, the state broadsheets are on an overdrive nitpicking on every move the former man makes. Intensified propaganda after Mugabe came out to openly back the formation of the New Patriotic Front led by former minister Ambrose Mutinhiri. Mugabe is now treated like any other opposition leader attacked and vilified.

FULL TEXT : Zimbabweans from all walks of life have roundly condemned former President Robert Mugabe following startling revelations that he is demanding his pension lump sum in cash after years of getting his salary using the same arrangement.

According to documents in possession of our sister paper, The Sunday Mail, the former President is demanding his pension lump sum of nearly half-a-million dollars and monthly pension pay out of over $13 000 in cash.

The documents also reveal that Mr Mugabe had been getting monthly cash payments of $20 000 while still Head of State and Government, even as ordinary Zimbabweans queued for days on end to access amounts as low as $20 from banks.

It has also been established that former First Lady Mrs Grace Mugabe is also getting a monthly payment of $2 170 from the State.

Police were unleashed on those who spoke out at bank queues as Mr Mugabe and his wife sat pretty, getting cash.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over from Mr Mugabe, was left bemused by the arrangement, saying it was highly irregular and irresponsible and opted to have his salary paid through a bank transfer.

The Chronicle yesterday took to the streets and spoke to ordinary residents, politicians and lawyers in Bulawayo over the issue.

A Bulawayo constitutional lawyer, Mr Dumisani Dube, said Mr Mugabe’s demands were a violation of anti-money laundering laws.