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Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa in key dates
HARARE, July 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Here are key dates in the life of
Emmerson Mnangagwa, favourite in Zimbabwe’s July 30 presidential elections
and heavyweight in the regime of ousted long-time leader Robert Mugabe.
– September 15, 1942: Born in central Zimbabwe. In his early teens his
family moves to Zambia, where he goes on to study law.
– 1960s: Joins the struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence from Britain after
military training in China and Egypt. Is arrested and spends 10 years in
prison.
– 1980: Appointed security minister in Mugabe’s first post-independence
government. In this position, he oversees a crackdown on suspected opposition
dissidents that leaves 20,000 dead.
– 1989-2000: Serves as minister of justice, announcing in 2000 a land
redistribution programme to seize white-owned farms without compensation.
– 2008: Allegedly supervises a wave of violence that forces the opposition
to pull out of a run-off presidential vote, having won the first round. He is
later appointed defence minister.
– December 2014: Named vice president. He also becomes number two in the
ruling ZANU-PF party and retains the post of justice minister, which he
retook a year earlier.
– November 6, 2017: Fired by Mugabe. The move prompts the military to step
in, effectively taking over the country. Mnangagwa flees Zimbabwe.
– November 24, 2017: Returns after Mugabe resigns on November 21 under
pressure from the army and his ZANU-PF party. Is sworn in to succeed Mugabe.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1045 hrs