Emmerson Mnangagwa: 'The Crocodile' who struck back

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The resignation of Robert Mugabe after 30 years as president of Zimbabwe unleashes hope for changes that many have been waiting decades for, as the country welcomes their new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The African Union sees Mnangagwa's swearing in as a legitimate expression of the will of the Zimbabwean people.

“The African Union recognizes that the Zimbabwean people have expressed their will that there should be a peaceful transfer of power in a manner that secures the democratic future of their country,” the union said in a statement.

Emmerson Mnangagwa addresses supporters in Harare on November 22, 2017. / Reuters Photo

The new president of Zimbabwe is better known as "the Crocodile" for his Zanu-PF faction "Lacoste." In a radio interview two years ago, Mnangagwa explained that a crocodile waits patiently for its prey instead of leaving the water for food. “It strikes at the appropriate time,” he said.

Earlier in politics

Mnangagwa, 75, the former director of intelligence, was also known for his brutal crackdown on dissent.

It is believed Mnangagwa attended Lundi Primary School for his early education. He holds a law degree from the University of Zambia and also studied law at the University of London soon after Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. Mnangagwa later attended the Beijing School of Ideology run by the Chinese Communist Party.

Emmerson Mnangagwa. / Reuters Photo

Mnangagwa joined politics in 1962 and was recruited into Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) by Willie Musarurwa, a veteran Zimbabwean journalist.

After returning from military training in China and Egypt, Mnangagwa became a guerrilla commander in the liberation war that brought Mugabe to power in 1980. He served as the Chairman of the Joint High Command and had been a key supporter to Mugabe since then.

Under Mugabe

CGTN Photo

Former President Robert Mugabe looks on as Emmerson Mnangagwa reads a card during Mugabe's 93rd birthday celebrations in Harare in February. / Reuters Photo

According to a United Nations investigation in 2001 into exploitation of mineral resources in Congo, a report has named Mnangagwa for his active role in making Harare a significant diamond trading center.

In 2008, Mugabe appointed Mnangagwa as the campaign manager for an election marked by violence and allegations of vote-rigging. After Mugabe's rival Morgan Tsvangirai edged ahead in the first round of voting, Mnangagwa was widely blamed for the violence that followed.

"The Crocodile" who snapped back

CGTN Photo

The wide range of support for a Mnangagwa presidency comes from his leadership during the 1970s guerrilla war as the Joint High Command and his connections made by serving multiple parliamentary and ministerial positions under Mugabe.

Mnangagwa has been considered the most likely successor of Mugabe by guerrilla war veterans.

However, his political ambition to become president crossed paths with former First Lady Grace Mugabe. The fight between the two factions was made public: Team Lacoste, believed to have ties to Mnangagwa, and G40 under Grace Mugabe.

Grace Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa attend a gathering of the ZANU-PF party in Harare on February 10, 2016. /Reuters Photo

In August, a claim accused of poisoning Vice President Mnangagwa with ice cream from Grace Mugabe’s dairy and made him ill at a rally was later denied by Mrs. Mugabe.

In early November, following allegations of plotting against Mugabe's government, Mnangagwa was removed from his post as vice president and expelled from the ruling Zanu-PF party. In a statement released by Zimbabwe's Information Minister Simon Khaya-Moyo, Mugabe accused Mnangagwa of "disloyalty, disrespect, deceitfulness and unreliability." Mnangagwa fled to South Africa a few days later because of “incessant threats.”

On Nov. 19, Zanu-PF removed the Mugabes and reinstated Mnangagwa who was given a hero's welcome on his return to Harare on Nov. 22.

People in Zimbabwe hopes the new presidency will bring changes to the country as Mnangagwa promised new jobs and economic reforms.

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