'You can't fire him!': Robert Mugabe's extravagant son posts defiant message as Zimbabwe president refuses to quit

Robert Mugabe’s son posted a defiant message on social media as he father sensationally refused to resign as president of Zimbabwe.

Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, Robert's eldest son by second wife Grace, wrote on Facebook: “You can’t fire a revolutionary leader!”

He said that the country’s ruling party Zanu-PF “is nothing without President Mugabe".

Using the name of his father’s clan Gushungo, which means "crocodile", he added: “Gushungo will always remain the champion of champions!”

Chatunga Mugabe, 21, is known for his lavish party lifestyle, which he often shares with thousands of followers on social media.

Shortly before troops seized control of the country, he was pictured on social media apparently pouring a £200 bottle of champagne over his glitzy watch which he claimed was worth £45,000.

The post came as Mr Mugabe, 93, faces a deadline set by his own party to resign after a surprise speech in which he refused to stand aside.

Zanu-PF said it would impeach him if he does not resign by 12 midday local time (10am GMT) on Monday.

His grip on power has weakened since the army intervened on Wednesday, in a row over who should succeed him.

The ongoing crisis began two weeks ago when the leader sacked his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This angered army commanders who saw it as an attempt to position his wife Grace as the next president.

Mugabe previously rejected a proposal to step down and allow Mr Mnangagwa, who he sacked as vice president earlier this month, to take over on an interim basis.

Zimbabweans had gathered in the streets expecting a celebration, however Mugabe failed to step down and instead vowed to oversee the party's December conference.

He appeared to hint at challenging the ruling party by trying to stay on during the speech while flanked by military officials.

"The congress is due in a few weeks from now. I will preside over its processes, which must not be possessed by any acts calculated to undermine it or compromise the outcomes in the eyes of the public," he said.

He added he was aware of “issues within Zanu-PF” and added the country must “learn to resolve contradictions in a comradely spirit”.

Mr Mugabe has led the country since it gained independence from Britain in 1980.