Dozy despot Robert Mugabe ‘falls ASLEEP’ in his first public appearance since coup after refusing to stand down
ROBERT Mugabe appeared carefree in his first public appearance since Zimbabwe's military coup - as he fell asleep during a graduation ceremony.
The 93-year-old president was filmed nodding off live on-air, at Zimbabwe Open University, Harare on Friday.
Despite sitting in front of a huge crowd of supporters, the president's dozing head violently rocked his blue and yellow university cap.
The footage broadcast on Al Jazeera has caused a stir on social media, with several commentators claiming he only "started" to wake up when applause erupted.
News editor at Nairobi News, Kenfrey Kiberenge, tweeted: “Robert Mugabe makes first public appearance (asleep) since army takeover.”
University researcher Ragnar Weilandt said the president "occasionally" woke up as the speech erupted in applause.
Zim Luther tweeted: "He has no shame fighting so that he can sleep on the job! #Mugabe has fallen."
Banka Manneh jokingly said: "I Understand #Mugabe woke up from his sleep as soon as the Generals told him #Grace had left the room."
There was no sign of his hated wife, Grace, 52, who was reportedly with the despot leader when he was placed under house arrest earlier this week.
Mugabe's apparent nap in public comes after a week of political turmoil in the country.
In a meeting with the military, church leaders and international mediators, Mugabe is said to have asked for "a few more days, a few more months".
Today, a senior source in Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party insisted they are preparing to fire him on Sunday if he refuses to stand down.
The source said: "If he becomes stubborn, we will arrange for him to be fired on Sunday. When that is done, it’s impeachment on Tuesday."
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