Zimbabwe Commonwealth

Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks during the funeral ceremony of Peter Chanetsa at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, on January 7, 2017.
Former governor Peter Chanesta died on January 2, 2017. (/ AFP / JEKESAI NJIKIZANA (Photo credit should read JEKESAI )

Is Emmerson Mnangagwa cut from the same cloth as Robert Mugabe?

There’s already talk of pushing next years elections back to 2023: Is this what Zimbabwe really wants?

Zimbabwe Commonwealth

Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks during the funeral ceremony of Peter Chanetsa at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, on January 7, 2017.
Former governor Peter Chanesta died on January 2, 2017. (/ AFP / JEKESAI NJIKIZANA (Photo credit should read JEKESAI )

What a difference a few weeks can make. Eleven days ago, Emmerson Mnangagwa was still Robert Mugabe’s right hand man. In the blink of an eye, his sacking inspired the coup of a despot. A man he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with for a political lifetime.

As Bob’s erratic push to get his wife Grace – rather than Mnangagwa – in position to succeed him, Mr Mugabe’s authoritarian rule crashed to a halt.

Now, we say that just a few weeks can make a difference. But is that really enough time for a leopard to change his spots? Mnangagwa was a loyal deputy to Robert until very recently. So should Zimbabwe be expecting anything different?

Who is Emmerson Mnangagwa?

Make no mistake about it. Mnangagwa is as tough as they come. His nickname ‘the crocodile’ is more than just a snappy remark. During the fight for Zimbabwe’s liberation, he was part on the infamous ‘crocodile gang’ that bombed a train in the 1960s.

He was initially sentenced to death, but his lawyer spared him execution. By being under 21, the defence argued a death sentence was unreasonable. He spent a decade in jail, and formed a close alliance with fellow political prisoner Robert Mugabe.

A stellar career in the army followed, and by the revolution, he was given a plethora of high-ranking government jobs by his old friend. He’s served with Mugabe for nearly all of his 37-year reign.

Which means, he’s effectively been complicit in a lot of his cruel, unreasonable decisions. Mnangagwa was the Speaker of the house during the horrendous roll-out of the 2000 land reform act, where white farmers were attacked and killed. He was also the Minister of social amenities when Zimbabwe’s inflation hit its peak.

Granted, it will be tough to find someone in Zimbabwe with enough political experience to take the reigns who hasn’t served under RM. But this all suggests that, for most of his career, Mnangagwa has backed Mugabe in some terrible scenarios.

The Zimbabwe Elections of 2018 under threat

With general elections scheduled for next winter, the delivery of the vote is now in serious doubt. To hear the army talk though, it’s a ‘well-intentioned’ delay.

Victor Matemadanda is the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) secretary general. When asked about the future of Zimbabwe yesterday, he threw the notion out there that the forces would instil a ‘cross-party’ government:

“We anticipate a situation of inclusivity going forward. As far as we are concerned no one political party can solve the country’s problems so all political parties must accept what has happened and help with efforts to restore normalcy.”

It might sound practical on paper, but this casts serious doubt over the legitimacy of this ‘peaceful transition’. Putting any type of new government in place will push the elections back five years, to 2023. Is this the revolution Zimbabwe wanted?

If they are still unable to choose their leaders fairly, it’s not exactly putting your best foot forward in a new era.

Is Emmerson Mnangagwa “King Junta”?

Sure, Mnangagwa’s close ties to the army has shifted one of the most reviled Presidents in the world. But just how comfortable can Zimbabwe be with that kind of power?

Whilst Zimbabwe figure out their future, it’s already been suggested that the military personnel who orchestrated the ‘transition’ will find themselves with more political responsibility. Setting up a junta is not the type of message Zimbabwe should be giving to the world, who already have the state under the microscope.

Any governments that are established following a military coup find it extremely difficult to gain legitimacy. Both The African Union and 15-member strong Southern African Development Community are on record as saying they won’t recognise a party that gains power through a coup d’etat.

Can Zimbabwe trust Mnangagwa?

We can’t give a definitive answer. But we are sure many would subscribe to the theory that any regime is better than a Mugabe regime. If the military are to be believed in their statement that they are going after ‘political criminals’ who have damaged Zimbabwe, then it is something to celebrate.

However. The crocodile has already shown his teeth. Once he Mugabe had no use for him, it was only then that Mnangagwa said ‘enough is enough’. Although, his hands were tied…

Waiting to replace Bob in a peaceful succession was seemingly Emmerson Mnangagwa’s first choice. Only when Zimbabwe’s future was threatened by a Mugabe replacing a Mugabe did Emmerson decide to go military.

On this occassion, he’s Zimbabwe’s guardian. But he is by no means their angel.