Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe dies at 95

Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is dead.

The current President Emmerson Mnangagwa made the announcement on Twitter on Friday morning.

“Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people.

“His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” President Mnangagwa said.

Reports indicate that the 95-year old Mugabe died at a Singaporean hospital after a long illness.

Love or loathe him but history will never ignore the role of Robert Gabriel Mugabe who has gone to join the immortals. pic.twitter.com/3S0uhapoiK

— somadodafikeni (@somadodafikeni) September 6, 2019

According to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), President Mnangagwa told his Cabinet two weeks ago that doctors had discontinued treatment.

The last time Mugabe was spotted was when pictures of him with his wife Grace and son Robert Junior emerged on social media.

The pictures are believed to have been shared by the son while they were in Singapore where he frequently sought treatment for an unknown illness.

The July 2019 photo sparked fears over the state of his health.

Mugabe was President of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2017 when he left in a dramatic exit.

His 37-year-rule was tainted with a collapsed economy, oppression and violence that saw the military stage a coup to remove him from power.

At the time, Mugabe had sacked Mnangagwa as vice president and was set to replace him with his wife Grace.

However, the ruling party members turned against Mugabe leading to his ouster.

He leaves behind his wife Grace and four children: Bona, Robert Junior, Chatunga and Michael.

He was previously married to Sally Mugabe.