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Former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe was today controversially granted immunity from prosecution.

And he was also given cast-iron assurances that his safety would be protected in his home country as part of the deal that led to his resignation.

Mugabe, 93, told negotiators he did not want to live in exile and wanted to die in Zimbabwe.

A government source said : “It was very emotional for him and he was forceful about it. For him it was very important that he be guaranteed security to stay in the country... although that will not stop him from travelling abroad when he wants to or has to.”

Emmerson “The Crocodile” Mnangagwa, the former vice president sacked by Mugabe earlier this month, will be sworn in tomorrow.

(Image: EPA/REX/Shutterstock)

Mugabe, who had led Zimbabwe from independence in 1980, stepped down on Tuesday after the army seized power and the ruling party turned against him.

His rapid downfall after 37 years in power was triggered by a battle to succeed him that pitted Mnangagwa against Mugabe’s 52-year-old wife Grace.

“The outgoing president is obviously aware of the public hostility to his wife, the anger in some circles about the manner in which she conducted herself and approached ZANU-PF party politics,” a second source said.

“In that regard, it became necessary to also assure him that his whole family, including the wife, would be safe and secure.”

(Image: Getty)

Mugabe will receive a retirement package that includes a pension, housing, holiday and transport allowance, health insurance, limited air travel and security.

The former president was said to be “drained” by events of the past week and may travel to Singapore for medical checks in the coming weeks.

In Zimbabwe, Mugabe runs a dairy business and the family has several farms while local and foreign media have reported that Grace has bought properties and luxury cars in South Africa.