Some Zimbabweans have called on President Robert Mugabe to step down so that he can have enough time with his family following the birth of his first grandson.
President Robert Mugabe at the weekend had his first sight on his grandson, Simbanashe Chikore, in Singapore sired by his daughter, Bona, and son-in-law, Simba Chikore, last month.
Some Zimbabweans said they have nothing to do with Simbanashe as they are struggling to make ends meet due to the current economic crisis in the country. Some of them, instead, urged the president to step down to allow a new crop of leaders to run the country and revitalize the economy.
One such resident is Glen View resident Phibion Gwaunza who said this would give Mr. Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, ample time to be with his family, including Simbanashe.
This was echoed by MDC-T member Shakespear Mukoyi, noting that it is unlikely that the president will relinguish power only to be with his grandson and other family members.
Mukoyi’s sentiments were also supported by Highfield resident, Rutendo Shambare.
Another Harare resident, Francis Machimbidzofa, said the birth of Bona’s son would not change Zimbabwe’s political misfortunes, adding that there were more pressing bread and butter issues affecting Zimbabweans than to focus on Mr. Mugabe’s grandson.
But two Zanu PF activists, who refused to have their voices recorded, said they are happy that the Mugabes have an additional member of the family.
Effort Nkomo, another ruling party activist based in Bulawayo, said Simbanashe's birth is a blessing for the struggling nation.
Some people have even questioned whether Simbanashe is a Zimbabwean following his birth outside Zimbabwe.
Chapter Three, Section 36, Subsection Two of Zimbabwe’s constitution stipulates that persons born outside Zimbabwe are Zimbabwean citizens by birth if, when they were born, either of their parents was a Zimbabwean citizen and ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe or working outside Zimbabwe for the state or an international organization.