Who is Zimbabwe's sacked 'crocodile': Emmerson Mnangagwa?

CAIRO – 16 November 2017: A military takeover on Wednesday has sent Zimbabwe to a political crisis that is likely to end a 37-year old ruling by the elderly president, Robert Mugabe.

The move has been preceded by a last week decision by the 93-year old ruler to dismiss his long-term minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, in a step believed to be for preparing the president's wife, Grace Mugabe, to succeed him in power.

The decision stirred anger within the army and the ruling party, leading to a military coup in the South African country. Hence, the Zimbabwean army sacked ministers over "corruption," seized power and controlled the state’s parliament, television and all state institutions.

The dismissal of Mnangagwa, who served as vice-president of Zimbabwe from 2014 to November 6, 2017, was cited by Mugabe as for allegedly plotting against the government.

Nicknamed as "The Crocodile" in his country, Mnangagwa fled to South Africa shortly after his dimissal, citing "incessant threats" against him and his family.

Unconfirmed reports said that Mugabe and his wife have been sent to Namibia as a result of the coup.

But Mnangagwa, who has reportedly returned to his country on Tuesday, is believed to be prepared to assume a leadership role
.

The army’s goals behind seizing power

The military move by army came in line with other goals, including a crackdown on supporters of Vice President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa in the wake of a statement by Cheonga at a press conference attended by senior army commanders on the sidelines of dismissal of the vice president.

In the statement, "We must remind those behind the current treacherous treasons that the army will not hesitate to intervene when matters are concerned with the protection of our revolution."

Here are the most important highlights about Mnangagwa

1. Emerson Dambodzu Mnangagwa was born on September 15, 1942.

2. Mnangagwa is 72 years old.

3. He joined the student movement during his study and was elected for a post in the executive authority.

4. Mnangagwa was dismissed from Hodgson Technical College in 1960 for political activity that resulted in the burning of some property.

5. He joined the University of Zambia in 1973 and received a bachelor's degree and did his post-graduate LLB degree, as well as another post-graduate program in advocacy in 1975.

6. After successfully completing his legal studies, he was admitted to the Bar of the High Court of Zambia in 1976.


His political career

Mnangagwa had held leading positions throughout his political career, culminating in becoming Zimbabwe’s vice president on December 10, 2014.

7. Appointed Minister of State Security from 1980 to 1988.

8. Appointed Minister of Justice in 1988.

9. In 2000, he became Speaker of Parliament until 2005.

10. He was ZANU-PF's Secretary of Administration from July 2000 to December 2004 and became its Secretary for Legal Affairs in December 2004.

11. Minister of Rural Housing from 2005 to 2009.

12. Appointed Minister of Finance for a few months in 2009.

13. Appointed Minister of Defense from 2009 to 2013.

14. Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in 2013.

15. On December 10, 2014, President Robert Mugabe appointed him as his vice president.

17. Mnangagwa continued to serve as Minister of Justice until the ministerial reshuffle in October 2017.

18. In August 2017, Mnangagwa had suffered from food poisoning during a public meeting with President Mugabe, and he then underwent surgery in South Africa for treatment.

19. Mnangagwa returned home on August 21, 2017 and appeared in good health.

20. On November 6, 2017, President Mugabe dismissed Mnangagwa, as Mugabe believed that Mnangagwa showed signs of disloyalty and fled to South Africa.

21. Mnangagwa was one of President Mugabe’s supporters since independence from Britain in 1980.

22. The movement of the army to control power was due to the dismissal of Mnangagwa from office.

The sacked vice president is most likely to come to power in the wake of the army’s move to seize power, due to his prominent political life, as well as being a business tycoon.