Source: LIVE: Zimbabweans cheer as Mnangagwa arrived for inauguration | News24
Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to be sworn in as president, marking the final chapter of a political drama that toppled his predecessor Robert Mugabe after a military takeover. Follow the live updates
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From AP
A handful of regional heads of state are attending the inauguration of Zimbabwe’s new leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
They include the leaders of Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia.
The president of regional powerhouse South Africa is not there because President Jacob Zuma is hosting Angola’s new leader for talks.
Mnangagwa has arrived to cheers from the crowd of tens of thousands and is expected to be sworn in shortly.
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Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans are awaiting the swearing-in of new leader Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has arrived at the stadium.
Opposition leaders and diplomats are in attendance as the country prepares to hear the first address of Mnangagwa, who replaced Robert Mugabe after his 37 years in power.
Mnangagwa is just the second president for Zimbabwe since its independence from white minority rule in 1980.
The 93-year-old Mugabe will remain in Zimbabwe, reportedly assured by his former deputy Mnangagwa of his “maximum security.” – AP
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Zambian President Edgar Lungu has arrived just after the arrival of former president Kenneth Kaunda
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has also arrived.
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A big cheer is going up as the military commander who put Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe under house arrest, General Constantino Chiwenga, arrives at the inauguration of the country’s new leader.
The once-feared military has seen an outpouring of support from some Zimbabweans after it moved in last week to stop Mugabe’s unpopular wife from positioning herself to succeed him as president.
Former defence chief Emmerson Mnangagwa is poised to be sworn in as just the second president in independent Zimbabwe’s 37-year existence. – AP
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Emmerson Mnangagwa – The Man Behind A Renewed Hope For Zimbabwe
Mugabe’s former right-hand man is to be sworn in today as Zimbabwe’s first new president in nearly four decades.
The 75-year-old liberation war veteran and member of the governing Zanu-PF party has had a rather interesting and varied political career.
Not two weeks ago, former president Robert Mugabe dismissed Mnangagwa as the country’s vice-president on various charges and went into exile.
Soon after his expulsion from Zanu-PF, Mnangagwa was reinstated by the Central Committee on the November 19 as party leader and president-in-waiting. Mugabe has since resigned. – Huffpost
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‘Emmerson Mnangagwa Might Just Be Another Robert Mugabe’ – Analyst
While gleeful Zimbabweans celebrate the dawn of a new era under incoming president Emmerson Mnangagwa, political analyst Ralph Mathekga believes he could possibly be another dictator who will merely continue former president Robert Mugabe’s atrocities.
Mathekga references Mnangagwa’s military history and loyalty to the governing party as some of the warning signs.
“He is not an outsider; if there is going to be a change, it will be by a long shot… he is one of the senior [Zanu-PF] leaders, it will be big surprise if he makes major changes,” he told HuffPost on Thursday. – Huffpost
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Emmerson Mnangagwa is a principled, down to earth family man and is committed to the development of the generality of Zimbabweans irrespective of their backgrounds, his family members have said.
According to the state-owned Herald newspaper, Mnangagwa’s son, Emmerson (junior), described his father as a man who stands by his principles even in the face of adversity.
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BBC reports that Robert Mugabe’s finance minister Ignatius Chombo has been admitted to hospital after beatings he received in military custody.
His lawyer Lovemore Madhuku reportedly said that Chombo has injuries to his hands, legs and back and was blindfolded throughout his week in custody.
Chombo was accused of corruption and abuse of power relating to his time as local government minister more than a decade ago, Madhuku was quoted as saying.
Chombo was detained when the military took over last week in events that eventually led to Mr Mugabe resigning as president.
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Reuters is reporting that former Zimbabwe finance minister Ignatius Chombo, who was among those detained by the military in an operation against “criminals” around ousted president Robert Mugabe last week, has been handed over to the police.
The report quotes the former minister’s relative as saying that Chombo had been severely beaten while in military custody.
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When Zimbabwe achieved independence in 1980, Mnangagwa was appointed minister of security. He directed the merger of the Rhodesian army with Mugabe’s guerrilla forces and the forces of rival nationalist leader Joshua Nkomo.
In 1983, Mugabe launched a brutal campaign against Nkomo’s supporters that became known as the Matabeleland massacres for the deaths of 10 000 to 20 000 Ndebele people in Zimbabwe’s southern provinces. Mnangagwa was widely blamed for planning the deadly campaign of the army’s North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade.
Mnangagwa denies it. He also is reputed to have amassed a considerable fortune. He was named in a United Nations investigation into exploitation of mineral resources in Congo and has been active in making Harare a significant diamond trading centre.
In 2008, Mnangagwa was Mugabe’s agent in an election marked by violence and allegations of vote-rigging, leading him to be placed under US sanctions that continue to this day.
He also helped broker the creation of a short-lived coalition government that brought in opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister.
In recent years, Mnangagwa promoted himself as an experienced leader who would bring stability to Zimbabwe. Despite his bloody past, “some people see redeeming features in Mnangagwa,” said Tichaona Zindoga, political editor of the state-run Herald newspaper.
“He is seen as business-oriented, which may help him improve the economy.” However, Zindoga added, “politically his ties to Zanu-PF cannot be wished away. And the events of the past two weeks mean that he is ingratiated to the military.” – Associated Press
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Mnangagwa’s links to the military and ruling party go back decades. He joined the fight against white minority rule in what was then Rhodesia while still a teen in the 1960s.
In 1963, he received military training in Egypt and China.
As one of the earliest guerrilla fighters he was captured, tortured and convicted of blowing up a locomotive in 1965.
Sentenced to death by hanging, he was found to be under 21 and his punishment was commuted to 10 years in prison.
He was jailed with other prominent nationalists including Mugabe. While imprisoned, Mnangagwa studied through correspondence courses.
After his release in 1975 he went to Zambia, where he completed a law degree and started practicing.
Soon he went to newly independent Marxist Mozambique, where he became Mugabe’s assistant and bodyguard.
In 1979, he accompanied Mugabe to the talks in London that led to the birth of Zimbabwe.
“Our relationship has over the years blossomed beyond that of master and servant to father and son,” Mnangagwa wrote this month of his relationship with Mugabe. – Associated Press
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Mnangagwa served for decades as Mugabe’s enforcer and among Zimbabwe’s population, he is more feared than popular.
He now urges the country to come together, to “bury our differences and rebuild a new and prosperous Zimbabwe, a country that is tolerant to divergent views.”
For weeks before the political turmoil erupted, Mnangagwa had been publicly demonized by Mugabe and his wife, Grace, who was seeking to succeed her 93-year-old husband in power. That gave Mnangagwa time to prepare his strategy.
Within days of his firing, his supporters in the military put Mugabe and his wife under house arrest. When Mugabe refused to resign, a massive demonstration backed by the military brought tens of thousands of people into the streets of the capital, Harare.
It was not a spontaneous uprising. Thousands of professionally produced posters praising Mnangagwa and the military had been printed ahead of time. – Associated Press
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Mnangagwa’s remarkable rise to power — from being sacked as vice president and fleeing the country to being named Zimbabwe’s next leader — was largely thanks to the military, which put Mugabe under house arrest, and ruling party lawmakers who introduced the impeachment proceedings.
It is widely expected that Mnangagwa will continue to rely on them. “Can a crocodile change its scales? Everybody is asking that question.
Certainly his first speech was a lost opportunity.
He did not speak about the need for an inclusive government,” said Piers Pigou, southern Africa expert for the International Crisis Group.
“He has a long past with Zanu-PF and the military and that past may stick to him like chewing gum on a shoe.” Pigou said more will be known when Mnangagwa announces his new government and policies.
“It will be difficult for him to escape his history,” he said. “But the door is open.” – Associated Press
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From AP
The ruling party has proven it protects its own. It assured Mugabe he would not be prosecuted if he stepped down.
Zanu-PF chief whip Lovemore Matuke told The Associated Press: “He is safe, his family is safe and his status as a hero of his country is assured.”
On Thursday, the opposition MDC-T party said it had not been invited to Mnangagwa’s inauguration on Friday morning at a 60,000-seat stadium.
That’s after the MDC joined the efforts to remove Mugabe, seconding the motion in Parliament to impeach him.
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Zimbabwe’s incoming leader Emmerson Mnangagwa, widely known as the Crocodile, is seen as a smart, ruthless politician, and many question if he will be able to bring the change the country craves.
“We are witnessing the beginning of a new, unfolding democracy,” the 75-year-old announced Wednesday upon his return to the country, two weeks after his firing by longtime mentor Robert Mugabe led to the president’s downfall.
Despite the message of inclusion, Zimbabweans noted that Mnangagwa made his first public remarks outside ruling Zanu-PF party headquarters and, switching to the local Shona language, praised the party.
They ask whether Mnangagwa will be adequately independent from Zanu-PF to revive the battered economy and restore democracy with the backing of the opposition and others. – AP
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Charamba: “He (Cde Mnangagwa) also assured the (former) first family not just of their own security and welfare, but the preservation of law and order throughout the country.
“Both of them agreed that the former President needed time to rest after the hectic events of the week-and-a-half that has gone by and that therefore he may not be attending tomorrow’s inauguration. He (Mugabe) gave the incoming President his good wishes and support.” – Herald
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“The President-elect and outgoing President spoke this afternoon firstly for the President-elect to formally indicate that he is now back in the country and secondly to brief President Mugabe on preparations for tomorrow’s event,” Information, Media and Broadcasting Services secretary George Charamba, who was also Mugabe’s spokesperson was quoted as saying.
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PROGRAMME FOR THE INAUGURATION OF THE PRESIDENT- ELECT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE CDE EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA:
NATIONAL SPORTS STADIUM:
FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER
20170630 hrs – Gates open
ENTERTAINMENT
0730 hrs-Public take seats
DIGNITARIES ARRIVE IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER
0920 hrs-His Worship the Mayor of the City of Harare
0925 hrs-Commander Defence Forces and Service Chiefs
0930 hrs-Members of the House of Assembly-Members of the Central Committee and Politburo-Diplomatic Corps
0935 hrs-Judges of the High Court/the Judge president/the Judges of the Supreme court/Prosecutor-General/Attorney-General/Honourable Ministers
0940hrs-Speaker of the National Assembly/president of the Senate
0950 hrs-Chief Justice and spouse
1000 hrs-Visiting Former Heads of State and Government
1015 hrs-Visiting Heads of State and Government
ENTERTAINMENT
1030 hrs -The incoming President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and Mai Auxillia MnangagwaNATIONAL ANTHEM
1115hrs – Master of ceremonies and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Jacob Mudenda invites the minister of Religion Right Reverend Bishop Mutendi for opening prayer
1135 hrs – MASTER OF CEREMONIES calls the Chief Justice, Honourable Justice Luke Malaba to administer the OATH OF OFFICE-CHIEF JUSTICE,
HONOURABLE JUSTICE LUKE MALABA ADMINISTERS THE OATH OF OFFICE
-SIGNING CEREMONY-ARDONING OF SASH-Commander Defence Forces and Service Chiefs pay compliments to the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces His Excellency Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa
-Master of Ceremonies calls for pledge of allegiance-PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY COMMANDER DEFENCES FORCES ANDSERVICE CHIEFSBeing :
-(i) Commander of the Defence Forces
(ii) Commissioner General of Zimbabwe Republic Police
(iii) Commissioner General of Prisons and Correctional Service1200 hrs -NATIONAL ANTHEM AND FLY PAST-21 GUN SALUTE
-FanfareParade Commander invites the President to inspect Guard of Honour accompanied by Commander Defence Forces only.
The first Lady and the First Family congratulate the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe His Excellency Cde ED Mnangagwa.
His Excellency the President is led to his seat.
ENTERTAINMENT.
Master of ceremony calls upon His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa to deliver inauguration address.
1210 hrs -His Excellency the President Cde ED Mnangagwa delivers His address.
1235 hrs -Guard of Honour marches past and off-His Excellence the President returns to dais.
1240 hrs -Master of ceremony calls upon Zanu-PF representative to deliver congratulatory message and vote of thanks.
1250 hrs – Entertainment
1300 hrs -Congratulations
Handshaking only by the following:·
. Father Fidelis Mukonori·
. Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) Representative.
· Visiting Heads of State and Government
· Visiting Former Heads of State and Government
· Chief Justice Honourable Like Malaba leads justice
· Presiding Officers of Parliament.
· Ministers of Government· Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet· Chairman of the Public Service Commission
· Acting Director General of CIO· President of the Chief’s Council leads Traditional Leaders· Dean of Diplomatic Corps, HE Mr Mawampanga Mwana Nanga
· Governor of the Reserve Bank, Dr J Mangudya· Chairman of Zimbabwe University Vice Chancellor Organisation (ZUVCO)
. Professor E Mwenje· Honourable Minister of War Veterans with the Representatives of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle
· Representative of People Living with Disability
· Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) Representative
· Movement for Democratic ChangeRepresentative of Socio-Economic Groups· Zimbabwe Bankers Association
· Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce· Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries
· National Economic Consultative Forum
· Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions· President of Zimbabwe Farmers Union· President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
· President of the Indigenous Commercial Farmers Union· Chairman of the Cross Border Association· President of the Apex Council
· Representative of the Zimbabwe Nurses Council
· Zimbabwe Tourism Council
EMCOZRepresentatives of religious groups· Christian community· Jewish community· Islamic Conference of Zimbabwe
· Hindu
Traditional
· Greek Orthodox
-ENTERTAINMENT
1340hrs – End of the Inauguration Ceremony
DIGNITARIES DEPART IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER
· His Excellency the President Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and the First Lady Mai Auxilia Mnangagwa
· Visiting Heads of State and Government
· Visiting former Heads of State and Government
· Chief Justice and spouse· President of the Senate/Speaker of the National Assembly· Members of the Central Committee and Politburo
· Hon Ministers/Prosecutor–General/Attorney General/Judges of the Supreme Court/The Judge president/Judges of the High Court
· Members of the Diplomatic Corps
· Honourable Members of the Parliament· Service Chiefs
· His worship Mayor of the City of HarareDEPARTMENT OF PROTOCOL AND STATE OCCASIONS-Master of ceremony; Hon J F Mudenda assisted by Hon S K Moyo and Mr A Mfiri
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Statement by the Executive Secretary of SADC Following the Resignation of President Robert Mugabe
The Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) commends His Excellency, President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, for his bold decision to step down from his position of Head of State of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and his lifetime commitment to serving Zimbabwe and the SADC region.
This decision will be remembered and cherished by SADC as a clear demonstration of true Statesmanship, and part of the legacy of President Mugabe.Since its formation, SADC has benefited and valued the contribution of President Mugabe, as a true champion of Pan-Africanism, and in the promotion of regional co-operation, development and integration.
He will be remembered by SADC as an exemplary freedom fighter in the liberation struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence and as one of the Founding Fathers of our cherished SADC.
As a liberation icon, President Mugabe offered a message of hope and unity to millions of his compatriots when he became the first black Prime Minister of the newly independent Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980.
As Chairperson of SADC, between 2014 and 2015, President Mugabe steered the development and adoption of the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063).
Through the Strategy, President Mugabe envisaged the transformation of SADC economies from being raw resource-dependent to economies that benefit from value-addition and beneficiation, and economies that are technology driven.
During his last visit to the SADC Secretariat Headquarters in May 2015, President Mugabe emphasised the need to achieve the SADC vision, that of a Common Future for the people of Southern African.
“As we forge ahead, let us all work towards the fulfilment of our vision by building a region in which there will be a high degree of integration and harmonisation,” he said.
President Mugabe further said that “this is not an option, but an imperative, if we are to meet the genuine expectations of our people.”
His appeal will continue to drive us as a region, until we have attained that common vision.We also commend the people of Zimbabwe for conducting themselves in a steady, mature and peaceful manner during this historic transition and transfer of power that the SADC Region, the African continent, and the world have witnessed.
SADC is confident that Zimbabweans will remain committed to the development of their country.As Zimbabweans enter a new political epoch, SADC stands ready to work closely with the Incoming President, his Government and the People of Zimbabwe.
As SADC, we reaffirm our commitment to the African Union Constitutive Act and SADC democratic principles. We are confident that Zimbabwe, as a member to both the African Union and SADC, will continue upholding these principles, while upholding principles enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe.H. E. Stergomena Lawrence Tax the Executive Secretary of SADC
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David Coltart former Zimbabwean cabinet minister: If we look at his [Mnangagwa’s] history… we can see that he was Robert Mugabe’s point man and that’s why we don’t have the champagne out.
We place a tiny bit of hope in him We wait to see whether he will be a [FW] De Klerk or [Idi] Amin – Power 98.7
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David Coltart former Zimbabwean cabinet minister: There’s a lot of expectation. Words are easy, actions are far more difficult.
There are mixed messages and there’s an element in ZANU-PF trying to encourage Emmerson Mnangagwa to go it alone and not include the opposition – Power 98.7
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