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Robert Mugabe sells off his combine harvesters

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Robert Mugabe (L in car) waves as he arrives to address crowds gathered during an election campaign rally held at Chibuku Stadium, in Chitungwiza on July 16, 2013.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Mr Mugabe is pictured taking one of his cars to see supporters at a rally before the 2013 election

Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe is auctioning off five combine harvesters and other farm equipment.

An advert by a local auction firm announced plans to sell off at least 40 of his vehicles, including a luxury car and five Toyota Hilux pick-up trucks.

Mr Mugabe was ousted in 2017 after a military takeover.

Observers say the sale could be sign that his family's business empire - including 21 farms - could be in financial trouble.

The advert by Ruby Auctions says the vehicles will be sold off in a public auction on the family's Gushungo Dairy Farm on Saturday morning.

That farm is on a sprawling estate which includes a mansion.

The Mugabe family took over the land when it was seized from its white owners under controversial land reforms. In 2015 Grace Mugabe forcefully evicted local villagers who had moved on to parts of the farm.

Media caption,

'I lost my land to Grace Mugabe'

Zimbabwe's Herald newspaper reported that it was not immediately clear why the family was auctioning the items but its business empire built up during Mr Mugabe's 37 years in power, has been facing lawsuits over unpaid debts.

Horse trucks, tractors, motor cycles and disc harrows are listed to be sold.

In April Mr Mugabe, 95, was in Singapore for medical treatment and was expected back home mid-May, AFP news agency quotes President Emmerson Mnangagwa as saying.