Opposition party paves way for Mugabe’s exit

ZIMBABWE’S main opposition leader said yesterday that his party was willing to hold discussions with the ruling party to pave the way for President Robert Mugabe to leave power smoothly.

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai said his party had mapped out a way “to ensure a smooth exit” of Mugabe from power and to ensure that the southern African country moves to a “post-Mugabe era”.

There has been widespread speculation that 79-year-old Mr Mugabe might leave office after he hinted in an interview last week that he was “getting to a stage” where retirement might be possible.