State House

State House

State House, formerly known as Government House, is the official residence of the President of Zimbabwe and is located in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Following the independence of Zimbabwe, it was renamed “State House” and was used as the house of the President of Zimbabwe. During his time in office, Zimbabwe’s first President Canaan Banana was accused of engaging in homosexual rape on several members of staff in State House. His replacement Robert Mugabe moved in after Banana’s fall as a result of the accusations.

Following an attack on Mugabe’s residence in 1982, a 6pm curfew was introduced to prevent any traffic passing in front of State House, this was removed in 2017. In 2006, Mugabe moved his personal residence from State House to a newly constructed mansion in the Borrowdale suburb. State House was retained as the location for official receptions.

In 2016, Mugabe unveiled a 12 foot tall statue of himself in the grounds of State House.

Zimbabwe Visitors Guide © Simon Newbound