Zimbabwe Has Officially Declared Robert Mugabe's Birthday A National Holiday

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe addresses a speech, on April 18, 2008 during celebrations for the country's independence. Photograph: Alexander Joe/AFP

BBC: Zimbabwe officially declares Mugabe national holiday

Zimbabwe has officially declared 21 February to be Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day, thereby making the former president's birthday a public holiday, the Herald newspaper reports.

New President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to form a cabinet this week.

Mr Mugabe resigned last week after a military intervention and days of mass protests.

The police and army are to stage joint patrols as the country returns to normal, the authorities have said.

They have already received reports of looting and illegal occupation of properties, particularly farms and houses.

Police had not been seen in public until 21 November when Mr Mugabe resigned and they slowly started returning to work. The army had effectively been in charge.

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Update #1: The Latest: Zimbabwe declares Mugabe’s birthday a holiday (Washington Post/AP)
Update #2: Government officially declares Mugabe's birthday a holiday (New Zimbabwe)

WNU Editor: The new government is trying to rehabilitate him. It is not going to succeed.