“I, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, in terms of section 96 of the constitution of Zimbabwe, hereby formally tender my resignation… with immediate effect.”
With the above statement, the curtain finally fell on years of impunity, which characterized the Mugabe presidency.
The news of his resignation was announced by Parliament Speaker, Jacob Mudenda, while parliament was sitting to debate impeachment of the man who had ruled the country for 37 years.
The eruption in parliament, which earlier in the day had to be moved to a conference venue to accommodate everyone, was euphoric.
His resignation came barely days under house arrest following a military takeover. It was termed a “bloodless correction” rather than a coup with the military saying they were targeting “criminals” around Mugabe.
That came just days after Gen Constantino Chiwenga warned that the army might need to step in the “stop the purge” in response to the firing of Vice President, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa on 6 November.
It is believed that much of the ire centres around the positioning of the unpopular Grace Mugabe as a potential replacement for Mnangagwa and, eventually, Mugabe.
Mugabe clung on to power during a week of tense negotiations, stunning the country with a long and rambling speech on Sunday night. In that speech, many expected that Mugabe would resign, but there was not a hint of such.
And while the mood was jubilant, the country still faces much uncertainty.
Mnangagwa, who will take over from Mugabe, has a reputation of being as hardline as Mugabe. He has been by Mugabe’s side for much of his reign and there will be some serious question marks hanging over Mnangagwa’s head as the country faces a delicate transition.
Some early commentators said that they were cautiously optimistic that Mnangagwa might be a changed man, though.