Mnangagwa’s ‘dark past’ will not disappear after he is sworn in as Zimbabwe’s president
Emmerson Mnangagwa was internal security chief in the mid-1980s when Robert Mugabe deployed a brigade against rebels in which 20,000 civilians were killed
Harare — Zimbabwe’s former vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa will be sworn in as president on Friday, following the resignation of Robert Mugabe after nearly four decades in power, state broadcaster ZBC reported on Wednesday. Mnangagwa, who fled for his safety after Mugabe sacked him two weeks ago, will land at Manyame Airbase in Harare at 6pm, ZBC said. Mnangagwa’s sacking prompted the military takeover that forced Mugabe out. Mugabe’s downfall came suddenly for a man once feted across Africa as a liberation hero for leading his country to independence from Britain in 1980, after a war. The 93-year-old had clung on for a week after the army takeover, with Zanu-PF urging him to go. He finally resigned on Tuesday, moments after parliament began an impeachment process seen as the only legal way to force him out. People danced in the streets of Harare and car horns blared at the news that the Mugabe era was finally over. Some brandished posters of Mnangagwa and army chief Gen Constanti...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.