But in an address broadcast on state television Sunday night, which some observers had predicted Mugabe would use to announce his resignation, a defiant Mugabe refused to fold, saying he will oversee a congress meeting in a few weeks.
"I will preside over its processes, which must not be prepossessed by any acts calculated to undermine it or to compromise the outcomes in the eyes of the public," Mugabe said.
Earlier Sunday, ZANU-PF said Mugabe had until midday Monday to step down and if he refused, that parliament would step in.