Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe has been granted immunity from prosecution and assured that his safety would be protected in his home country as part of a deal that led to his resignation, sources close to the negotiations say.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe faces the start of impeachment proceedings that could see him ousted within the week, against the backdrop of a military takeover dubbed "Operation Restore Legacy".

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has agreed to stand down and his resignation letter has been drafted, CNN says, citing a source familiar with his negotiations with the generals who seized power in Harare.

President Robert Mugabe has been dismissed as the leader of Zimababwe's ruling ZANU-PF party in a move to force him to end to his 37 years in power peacefully following a de facto military coup.

Zimbabwe is set for more political turmoil with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office.