Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa has described his former boss Robert Mugabe as a giant African tree that has fallen.

“There is no place in our modern world for unilateral punitive sanctions imposed in pursuit of selfish interests, undue influence and colonial-time expansionism.

As we mourn our revolutionary icon, we call for the unconditional and immediate lifting of the sanctions imposed on us.

“We invite the world to work and walk with us into a brighter future for our people, our region and the continent. A Zimbabwe free of the albatross of sanctions is indeed of greater benefit to the world,” he said.

In his moving tribute to his predecessor, Mnangagwa described Mugabe as a “giant African tree that has fallen”.

“He taught a generation, led a nation, inspired a continent, spoke for the oppressed and defined the politics and economics of an epoch. The man who lies before us was for years our leader, our commander, mentor and President, both in the party and Government.”