Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa promises ‘a new democracy’

PRESIDENT-IN-WAITING Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday made a triumphant return to Zimbabwe, telling a huge crowd of cheering supporters that the country is witnessing “a new, unfolding democracy”.

“I appeal to all genuine people of Zimbabwe to come together,” he said. “We are all Zimbabweans ... we need peace in our country and jobs, jobs, jobs.” His call for unity was received enthusiastically by hundreds gathered at the headquarters of the ruling ZanuPF party in Harare.

He thanked the people “in the name of Our Lord” in his first public speech since President Robert Mugabe announced his resignation.

With his wife Auxilia by his side, he addressed the crowd and described what he said were recent attempts to kill him. Mr Mnangagwa (75) said the pressure to “derail the process” of getting Mr Mugabe to step down from office was intense but “the will of the people will always, always succeed”.

He fled earlier from Zimbabwe after he was fired by Mr Mugabe who then installed his wife Grace as his preferred successor.

Mr Mnangagwa was introduced as “president-in-waiting” by a speaker who praised Zimbabwe’s military as “the most disciplined army in the world” during the past week’s events.

Mr Mnangagwa will be sworn in today following Mr Mugabe’s resignation after 37 years at the helm.

Chief whip Lovemore Matuke confirmed Mr Mnangagwa was meeting Politburo members at party headquarters for a briefing “on what has been happening in his absence”. Mr Mnangagwa said he was in constant contact with military leaders during the tumultuous two weeks between his sacking and his return to the country as its new leader.

Mr Mnangagwa is a former justice and defence minister who served for decades as Mr Mugabe’s enforcer, a role that earned him the nickname “Crocodile”.

Many opposition supporters believe he was instrumental in the army killings of thousands of people when Mr Mugabe moved against a political rival in the 1980s.