A GWENT woman has said she is hopeful that Robert Mugabe will no longer be the Zimbabwe’s president by the end of this week.

Martha Musonza-Holman, of Abergavenny, is the president of the Love Zimbabwe charity - which aims to reach a wider audience of people, including celebrities, who have an allegiance, affection or concern for Zimbabwe.

Her hope comes amid another day of uncertainty and quiet talks to resolve Zimbabwe’s turmoil and the likely end of president Robert Mugabe’s decades-long rule.

Mr Mugabe has been in military custody, reportedly with his wife, and there was no sign of the recently-fired deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, who fled the country last week.

Witnesses confirmed a sighting of Mr Mugabe’s motorcade moving through the capital, its destination unknown, while the military remained in the streets of capital city Harare.

South Africa President Jacob Zuma, speaking in parliament, said it would be too early to take any “firm decision” on Zimbabwe and that the political situation “very shortly will be becoming clear”.

Mrs Musonza-Holman said she has spent the past few days feeling very nervous about what is yet to come and says she has a bottle of champagne waiting if Mugabe steps down.

She said: “It’s too good to believe its actually happening. but it does look like he wants to stay in power.

“It’s very worrying at the moment.”

Mrs Musonza-Holman said that Zimbabwe is “in limbo” and the country has “suffered enough” under Mugabe.

She said: “Mugabe has ruined our country and treated it terribly. He has treated it like it is just him and his family. They have destroyed the country.

“I don’t think he has a chance to go back and it looks like they are going to push him out.

“I think every Zimbabwean wants him gone. I wish I was back home with family and friends during this time.”

A joint statement by more than 100 civil society groups urged Mr Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state, to peacefully step aside and asked the military to quickly restore order and respect the constitution. A joint statement by churches also appealed for calm.

Amid questions about the whereabouts of first lady Grace Mugabe, one Namibian newspaper, the New Era, reported the country’s foreign minister denial she had fled there.

The US Embassy advised citizens in Zimbabwe to “limit unnecessary movements” as political uncertainty continues.

The UK Government also urged its citizens to avoid large gatherings and any demonstrations.