Man's sales stagnate because Mugabe's wife failed to become president

A Zimbabwean man is at a loss what to do with his mugs bearing the portrait of disgraced former first lady Grace Mugabe.

A man prepares white ceramic cups, which are expected to be sold during the ruling Zanu-PF party congress in December. Photo: Zimbabwe Today

Not humanWhich Zimbabwe?also happy when heRobert Mugaberesigned as president after 37 years in power and his wife "Gucci" Grace was detained by the military, awaiting prosecution on multiple charges.

Zimbabwe Today posted on Facebook yesterday a photo of a man standing in front of dozens of cups with a disappointed look on his face. He had made white ceramic cups printed with Grace's portrait and the words "Minister of Women's Affairs, First LadyAmai Grace Mugabe".

These products are expected to be launched for sale on the occasion of the ruling party congress.Zanu-PF in December, in which Grace is likely to be elected to succeed her husband as Zimbabwe's new president.

A mug with Grace's image printed on it. Photo: Zimbabwe Today

However, the cups will now go unsold as Grace's ambitions to become Zimbabwe's leader have collapsed. Former vice presidentEmmerson Mnangagwa flew back home from South Africa yesterday andwill replace Mr. Mugabe to serve out his term as president until a general election in September 2018. Mr. Mnangagwa will be sworn in on November 24.

Meanwhile, Ms. Grace faces the possibility of being prosecuted for multiple crimes including money laundering, misappropriation of state assets and interference in government operations.

"I made these cups for the convention.ruling partyZanu-PF in December, where Grace Mugabe will be elected president, what am I going to do with them now?” the man said.

Social media users have suggested a number of ideas to help mug shop owners deal with unsold products. One person said he could let customers smash their mugs to express their anger at the former first lady and charge them a fee.

Another suggested he should write the date of Mr Mugabe's resignation on the cup as a reminder.

"Erase some of the words and write DisGrace on the cup," one person suggested.

"Draw two diagonal lines across her face, write 'never again' and sell it to the next convention," another suggested.

"Don't break them, keep them and sell them to the archives. The cup will go down in history, has great historical value, and reminds of a president who never existed," another person commented.

According to VNE