PICTURES: The rarely photographed homes of Zimbabwe's leaders

Pictured for the first time since the army seized power, this is the £7.5million Blue Roof mansion where former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe was held under house arrest during the recent coup masterminded by the current President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

The luxurious Blue Roof property has rarely been pictured on account of Zimbabwe's draconian penalties for those taking photographs of the presidential home.

Set in extensive grounds, the property boasts 25 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and spas, massive reception rooms and a suite of offices.


The luxurious Blue Roof property - belonging to Robert Mugabe - has rarely been pictured on account of Zimbabwe's draconian penalties for those taking photographs of the presidential home


Set in extensive grounds, the property boasts 25 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and spas, massive reception rooms and a suite of offices


The mansion is located in a suburb of Harare called Borrowdale, Zimbabwe's most exclusive postcode

MailOnline's exclusive pictures clearly show the iconic blue roofs after which the property was named. It is understood to be three times bigger than Mr Mugabe's former official residence, the State House.

The mansion is located in Borrowdale, Zimbabwe's most exclusive suburb. Originally built to house the ruling white elite during the colonial era, it is now home to Zimbabwe's leadership - both those loyal to Mr Mugabe and those who oppose him.

Less than two miles away, MailOnline pictured the secretive home of President Emmerson 'Crocodile' Mnangagwa, 75.


Screened from the street by extensive trees and foliage, high walls and a guard hut manned by police.


Less than two miles away from Mugabe's home, MailOnline pictured the secretive home of Emmerson 'Crocodile' Mnangagwa (pictured), 75.


The mansion is located in a suburb of Harare called Borrowdale, Zimbabwe's most exclusive postcode


Originally built to house the ruling white elite during the colonial era, it is now home to Zimbabwe's leadership - both those loyal to Mr Mugabe and those who oppose him.


A white iron fence and a distinctive row of black-and-white stones marked out the boundary of the property. Officers in blue uniforms were on high alert behind the gate


Augustine Chihuri, Zimbabwe's chief of police, also has a luxury home in Borrowdale. He was arrested on Tuesday night as part of the takeover by the army. Pictured: Another shot of sacked vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa's Harare home

Screened from the street by extensive trees and foliage, high walls and a guard hut manned by police, this could soon become the mansion from which Zimbabwe's new ruler governs the country.

A white iron fence and a distinctive row of black-and-white stones marked out the boundary of the property. Officers in blue uniforms were on high alert behind the gate.

MailOnline also photographed the nearby palatial home of General Constantino Chiwenga, the commander of Zimbabwe's armed forces, who has been spearheading the recent takeover.

Located just down the road from both Blue Roof and Mr Mnangagwa's home, the general's white mansion, which is built on modernist design principles and sits on the crest of a hill, dominates the area.

Augustine Chihuri, Zimbabwe's chief of police, also has a luxury home in Borrowdale. He was arrested on Tuesday night as part of the takeover by the army. The close proximity of all of these properties underscores how power in Zimbabwe is held by a small and hugely influential elite.

It comes as speculation continues to mount as to the future of the country as Mr Mugabe continues to resist efforts to persuade him to step down.

The two main demands made by the generals were that 'Gucci' Grace Mugabe, the president's controversial wife, must leave politics immediately and Mr Mnangagwa, who was recently sacked as vice president, be reinstated.

In return, army leaders said they were willing to allow Mr Mugabe to continue in his role as leader until the Zanu-PF congress in December, where he would step down and allow Mr Mnangagwa to take his place.


MailOnline also photographed the nearby palatial home (pictured) of General Constantino Chiwenga, the commander of Zimbabwe's armed forces, who has been spearheading the recent takeover. The 'C' stands for 'Constantino' and the 'M' for 'Mary', after his wife


Located just down the road from both Blue Roof and Mr Mnangagwa's home, the general's white mansion (pictured), which is built on modernist design principles and sits on the crest of a hill, dominates the area