HARARE, Zimbabwe — Emmerson Mnangagwa, the 80-year-old Zimbabwean leader, infamously known as “The Crocodile” for his ruthless political tactics, stands ready to cement his leadership in an upcoming election riddled with skepticism about its fairness.
Years after toppling long-time leader Robert Mugabe in a dramatic 2017 coup, Mnangagwa’s rule, according to many analysts, exhibits more authoritarian tendencies than his predecessor.
His tenure has been marred by an imploding economy plagued by hyperinflation, staggering unemployment rates, and rampant corruption.
“He is a very repressive, authoritarian figure,” opined Brian Raftopoulos, a prominent Zimbabwean political researcher.
The dramatic narrative of Mnangagwa’s ascent to power reads like a gripping political thriller.
After a power struggle with Mugabe’s wife, Grace, the once-ousted vice president fled for his life, making a daring escape to Mozambique.
A witness account by his son describes a scene of Mnangagwa, clad in a dusty suit, with worn-out shoes, waiting at a bus stop after a perilous night trek, with nothing but a briefcase filled with dollars.
Yet, in a stunning turn of events, military intervention saw Mnangagwa emerge as the chosen successor, marking the end of Mugabe’s 37-year reign.
The latter lamented, “I never thought he whom I have nurtured… that one day he would turn against me.”
Mnangagwa’s victory in the subsequent 2018 election, albeit by a slight majority, brought immense hopes for the nation’s revival.
These hopes, however, were short-lived.
Zimbabwe remains under the shadow of international isolation, exacerbated by Western sanctions, which Mnangagwa contends are the root of the country’s miseries.
Supporters of the president point to infrastructure projects as signs of progress under his leadership, from school constructions to bridge repairs.
Mnangagwa’s intricate political journey began decades earlier, aligning closely with Mugabe post Zimbabwe’s 1980 independence from Britain.
His alleged role in orchestrating political violence in 2008 and becoming the defence minister in 2009 showcases a leader consistently at the country’s political epicenter.
Portraying a more grounded image, the president is frequently seen donning a striped scarf representing national colors.
Yet, his past is littered with controversy. From apparent assassination attempts to consuming poison-laced ice cream linked to his nemesis Grace Mugabe, his story is filled with intrigue.
Born in 1942, Emmerson Mnangagwa, which translates to “adversity” in Shona, has a history steeped in the nation’s fight for independence.
His commitment to the cause saw him train as a combatant in China and Egypt.
This path led to his creation of the formidable “Crocodile Gang” guerrilla unit, establishing his feared moniker.
One of the most significant blots on his record is his alleged involvement in the “Gukurahundi massacre”, targeting mainly the Ndebele ethnic minority.
Mnangagwa recognizes it as “a bad patch” in the nation’s history.
Although he initiated talks with tribal chiefs to address this dark period, with a panel established to investigate the alleged killing of 20,000 lives, tangible results are still awaited.
As Zimbabwe gears up for another electoral face-off on August 23, with the young opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, all eyes remain on the “Crocodile” as he navigates the tumultuous waters of Zimbabwean politics.
