Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa gets hero’s welcome

HARARE, ZIMBABWE — Zimbabwe’s soonto-be president Emmerson Mnangagwa returned to the country on Wednesday, addressing jubilant supporters as he hailed a new chapter in his country’s politics, a day after longtime ruler Robert Mugabe stepped down.

“Today, we are witnessing the beginning of a new, unfolding democracy,” Mnangagwa, dressed in a blue suit, told the cheering crowd in his first public speech since returning to the country.

Thanking the defence forces for peacefully taking over control of the southern African nation, the 75-year-old said he felt “great respect, humility and profound gratitude.”

“The will of the people will always succeed. I pledge myself to be your servant,” he said while the audience screamed his nickname, “Crocodile.”

He also talked about Mugabe’s alleged plans to kill him after firing him for being “disloyal” earlier this month, a move that forced Mnangagwa to flee to neighbouring South Africa.

“I said to myself, I should not wait for them to eliminate me, but with you, the people of Zimbabwe, make our voice heard,” Mnangagwa said.

The former vice-president had arrived at the military airport in Harare earlier in the day.

Mnangagwa is scheduled to be sworn in as Mugabe’s successor on Friday.

After his return to Zimbabwe, Mnangagwa was first driven to a private meeting with Mugabe, 93, and then the army leadership, an information ministry official who travelled with Mnangagwa told DPA via telephone.

Mnangagwa, who is known as “The Crocodile” for his political cunning, was also expected to meet with the leaders of his Zanu-PF party later on Wednesday, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Thousands of Zimbabweans had been waiting for hours in the hot sun in front of the Zanu-PF headquarters in the Harare city centre in the hope their new leader would address them.

Mnangagwa was Mugabe’s lifelong comrade and deputy until he was accused of treachery and sacked earlier this month.

The sacking was a tactical error on the part of Mugabe as Mnangagwa is widely supported by the military.