This Past Wednesday, November 15th, Zimbabwe’s President Robert Gabriel Mugabe was put under house arrest by Zimbabwean Military, due to the increased tension between the 93 year-old elected official, and the civilians of the southern African nation.

The impetus that led to his arrest was his decision to fire his Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and announce his wife, Grace Mugabe, as his successor. This sparked major controversy due to the fact that Emmerson Mnangagwa has much more experience in dealing with government-related issues compared to Mugabe’s wife of 20 years.

Not many Zimbabwean civilians agree on how Mugabe has lead the country after he was elected in April of 1980, the month they gained their independence from Great Britain. His policies have led to crumbling infrastructure; he manipulates his elections so even when he loses, he wins; and his children have been showing off their opulence on social media.

Mugabe’s son, Bellarmine Chatunga, posted on Instagram this month a video of him pouring champagne, bought through taxpayer money, on his expensive watch. He then decided to caption the video, “60,000 on the wrist when your daddy owns the whole country you know!!!” This caused major political upset because many civilians were concerned with how their hard-earned money was being spent, and with their country hovering over financial collapse, they were also upset over what their money was being used for.

When the amoral government of Zimbabwe is put aside, there is no doubt that President Mugabe had a major role in leading the revolution overthrowing British rule. At the time, Mugabe was seen as a sign of hope, being Zimbabwe’s first democratically-elected leader. But over the course of his rule, he has manipulated many policies that were originally advertised as democratic, and have made them to favor his regime, benefiting his adherents more than anyone else. His actions have ultimately led the civilians of Zimbabwe to consider him a dictator.

Now with Mugabe under house arrest being looked after by a coalition of Mugabe’s opposing party, The Movement for Democratic Change, in hopes that they will be able to target “criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country,” the country is optimistic.

Zimbabwe Civilian Donald Muta was born at the beginning of the Mugabe era, he hopes for major change to come about from the actions that were committed this week.

“I feel like we have gained independence again,” said Mutsa. “I am hope that we are walking into a new Zimbabwe.”

I respect the people of Zimbabwe’s choice to arrest Mugabe. It’s the classic Animal Farm story in that Mugabe became obsessed with political power. And with political power came corruption, putting the country in economic distress and not respecting the civilian’s democratic rights. Let this be a sign to all forms of big government, may you be truthful to your people and moral in your decisions.