Mugabe speaks at Independence celebrations

President Robert Mugabe declared he had overcome alleged British-backed efforts to topple him, sounding as entrenched as ever at independence celebrations today for a nation blighted by political violence and economic chaos.

He acknowledged, however, worsening economic hardships were “stirring disquiet” across the nation and said security forces were ready to defend national and economic interests from what he termed “the strategy of saboteurs” in a recent spate of unrest.