Weary Zimbabweans hang their hopes on an archetype of the old order

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This was published 6 years ago

Weary Zimbabweans hang their hopes on an archetype of the old order

By Adrian Blomfield
Updated

Nairobi: Emmerson Mnangwagwa, whose political obituary was being written a fortnight ago, was preparing to return to Zimbabwe on Tuesday night to take over as the country's president.

Having served the briefest of exiles in South Africa, Mnangagwa will be sworn in as leader of an interim unity government as early as today, said Zanu-PF, the ruling party.

Completing his revenge against the man who triggered the coup by sacking him, Mnangagwa is expected to receive the offices of state from ousted Robert Mugabe in person, an exquisitely executed moment of final humiliation.

"Never should the nation be held at ransom by one person again, whose desire is to die in office whatever the cost of the nation," Mnangwagwa said, shortly before Mugabe's resignation was announced.

Zimbabweans celebrate Robert Mugabe outside Parliament on Tuesday.

Zimbabweans celebrate Robert Mugabe outside Parliament on Tuesday.Credit: AP

But many in Zimbabwe fear they risk replacing one despot with another.

"We have removed a tyrant but not yet a tyranny," David Coltart, a prominent opposition MP, wrote on Twitter.

For although Mnangwaga may have become the repository of a weary nation's hopes, he has few democratic credentials to boast of.

If anything, he was the archetype of the ancient regime, indefatigable in his loyalty to Mugabe from the early 60s as they waged war together to remove the minority white government of Ian Smith, which had broken away from British rule.

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Now Zimbabwean incoming president Emmerson Mnangagwa greets party supporters last year.

Now Zimbabwean incoming president Emmerson Mnangagwa greets party supporters last year.Credit: AP

Mnangagwa served years in prison after his "Crocodile Gang" murdered a white farmer and sabotaged a train locomotive, actions that helped precipitate then Rhodesia's civil war.

He served for decades as Mugabe's enforcer - a role that gave him a reputation for being astute, ruthless and effective at manipulating the levers of power.

A Zimbabwean dances on the roof of a vehicle as he and others celebrate Mugabe's resignation in downtown Harare on Tuesday.

A Zimbabwean dances on the roof of a vehicle as he and others celebrate Mugabe's resignation in downtown Harare on Tuesday.Credit: AP

His political apprenticeship in the newly independent Zimbabwe was soaked in blood. As Mugabe's spy chief, he was accused of masterminding the killing of thousands as the regime exploited a minor uprising by the Ndebele minority to crush the president's political foes. Mnangagwa has denied responsibility.

Mnangagwa joined the fight against white minority rule in Rhodesia while still a teen in the 1960s. As one of the earliest guerrilla fighters against Ian Smith's Rhodesian regime, he was captured, tortured and convicted of blowing up a locomotive in 1965.

Zimbabweans reach out to touch and thank soldiers, for the army's role in Mugabe's demise.

Zimbabweans reach out to touch and thank soldiers, for the army's role in Mugabe's demise.Credit: AP

Sentenced to death by hanging, he was found to be under 21, and his punishment was commuted to 10 years in prison. He was jailed with other prominent nationalists including Mugabe.

While imprisoned, Mnangagwa studied through a correspondence school. After his release in 1975, he went to Zambia, where he completed a law degree. Soon he went to newly independent Marxist Mozambique, where he became Mugabe's assistant and bodyguard.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, left, then Vice President of Zimbabwe chats with Robert Mugabe in 2014.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, left, then Vice President of Zimbabwe chats with Robert Mugabe in 2014.Credit: AP/File

A leading government figure since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, he became vice president in 2014 and is so widely known as the "Crocodile" that his supporters are called Team Lacoste for the brand's crocodile logo.

The 75-year-old "is smart and skillful, but will he be a panacea for Zimbabwe's problems? Will he bring good governance and economic management? We'll have to watch this space," said Piers Pigou, southern Africa expert for the International Crisis Group.

Out and In: Former Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe, left, has been expelled from the ruling party, while fired vice and now incoming president Emmerson Mnangagwa, right, now heads it.

Out and In: Former Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe, left, has been expelled from the ruling party, while fired vice and now incoming president Emmerson Mnangagwa, right, now heads it.Credit: AP

Later, he allegedly accumulated vast wealth after Zimbabwe intervened in the late 90s to prop up the regime of Laurent Kabila, the late president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, against a rebellion.

Zimbabwean officials profited handsomely from the exploitation of conflict diamonds from the mines around the Congolese town of Mbuji-Mayi. A UN investigation recommended sanctions against Mnangagwa, but these were never imposed. The intervention in Congo nearly bankrupted Zimbabwe, and was one of the factors that prompted Mugabe to order the seizure of white-owned farms.

Mnangagwa now claims he never supported the policy and has even suggested compensating dispossessed farmers. It is this apparent pragmatism that has convinced many Western powers that the incoming president may be the man to revive Zimbabwe after years of self-inflicted economic turmoil.

Whether such optimism in a man who revels in his moniker "The Crocodile" is warranted remains to be seen.

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But, for now, the Crocodile in whom Zimbabweans have invested their hopes is grinning more broadly than ever.

Telegraph, London; AP

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