An aide to former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe has said he harbored fears that civilians could “drag out and lynch” the 93-year-old leader in a “Libyan scenario”.
Mugabe was forced out of power following a military takeover, ending his 37-year reign in the southern African country.
“I started visualising an image of Muammar Gaddafi,” privately owned Daily News site quotes Mugabe’s former spokesman George Charamba.
The Zimbabwe army’s move into the streets was widely supported by civilians, who demanded that the long-serving ruler end his reign.
The takeover was sparked by Mugabe’s sacking of his then deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, with rumours surfacing that the First Lady Grace Mugabe was to take over that position.
Mnangagwa then fled the country saying he feared for his life.
The military however denied targeting the presidency, saying it targeted corrupt officials around the presidency.
The army went on to arrest former finance minister Ignatius Chombo, who was then charged with three counts of corruption.
Mugabe resigned from the presidency on November 21, and was replaced by Mnangagwa, who will take charge of the country until elections are held later this year.
