2017 in Zimbabwe explained

The following lists events from the year 2017 in Zimbabwe.

Incumbents

• President: Robert Mugabe (until 21 November), Emmerson Mnangagwa (since 24 November)
• First Vice President: Emmerson Mnangagwa (until 6 November), Constantino Chiwenga (starting 28 December)
• Second Vice President: Phelekezela Mphoko (until 27 November), Kembo Mohadi (starting 28 December)

Events

March

• 3 March - 2016–17 Zimbabwe floods: Government officials say that floods since December 2016 have killed 246 people and over 2000 people remain homeless as a result.^[1]

June

• 10 June - President Mugabe sacks Johannes Tomana from the role of chief prosecutor after a tribunal found him guilty of sexual misconduct and incompetence.^[2]

November

• 3 November - American producer Martha O'Donovan is arrested for allegedly insulting the President.^[3]
• 6 November - Vice President Mnangagwa is fired by Mugabe as a move perceived to be an attempt to get his wife, Grace, to succeed him as President if he dies.^[4]
• 14 November - Military forces take up positions on the streets of the capital of Harare in what the ruling party, ZANU-PF, calls an act of treason.^[5]
• 15 November - President Mugabe is overthrown as military forces seize the capital and a news station reporting the coup.^[6] The military issues a statement to remain calm and support the country's development as several officials are arrested.^[7]
• 18 November - Thousands of Zimbabweans celebrate on the streets of Harare at the downfall of Mugabe.^[8]
• 19 November - Mugabe is fired from the presidency of ZANU-PF and is replaced with Mnangagwa. He refuses to resign amid a request giving him 24 hours to do so or face impeachment.^[9]
• 21 November - Mugabe resigns after impeachment proceedings are launched.^[10]
• 24 November - Emmerson Mnangagwa is sworn in as the third President of Zimbabwe with elections pending next year.^[11]
• 25 November - Former finance minister Ignatius Chombo, arrested during the coup, is charged by the courts with corruption, fraud and power abuse.^[12]

Deaths

• 8 February  - Patrick Mumbure Mutume, Roman Catholic bishop (b. 1943).^[13]
• 16 June  - Edzai Kasinauyo, footballer (b. 1975)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Zimbabwe floods killed 246, made thousands homeless.
2. News: President Mugabe sacks Zimbabwe's chief prosecutor Johannes Tomana. BBC News . 10 June 2017 .
3. Web site: American television producer jailed for trying to 'overthrow' Zimbabwe's President Mugabe with a tweet .
4. Web site: Robert Mugabe sacks vice-president to clear path to power for wife. . 6 November 2017 .
5. News: Soldiers on Harare streets as ruling party accuses Zimbabwe army chief of treason. Reuters . 14 November 2017 .
6. News: Soldiers take over Zimbabwe state broadcaster: ZBC staff. Reuters . 14 November 2017 .
7. Web site: 'The situation has moved to another level': Zimbabwe army statement in full. . 15 November 2017 .
8. News: Zimbabwe crowds rejoice as they demand end to Mugabe rule. BBC News . 18 November 2017 .
9. Web site: Chaos in Zimbabwe after Mugabe fails to announce expected resignation. . 20 November 2017 .
10. Web site: Zimbabwe's Mugabe resigns ending decades-long dictatorship. . 21 November 2017 .
11. Web site: Zimbabwe's 'Crocodile' Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in as leader. 24 November 2017 .
12. News: Ousted Zimbabwe finance minister Chombo faces corruption charges. Reuters . 25 November 2017 .
13. Web site: Bishop Patrick Mumbure Mutume † . catholic-hierarchy.org . 9 February 2017 .