Mnangagwa not good to succeed Mugabe - Analysts

POLITICAL ANALYSTS have discredited vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa as unfit to rule Zimbabwe given a chance he succeeds President Robert Mugabe when he retires or joins his ancestors. They described him as hard nut to crack who can hardly mend the country's international relations that collapsed during Mugabe's rule and accused him of bad things that happened in the country particularly in the 1980s.

Mnangagwa is currently viewed as the possible successor of President Mugabe considering the fact that the former Vice President Joice Mujuru who had been for a long time tipped to take over from the veteran leader has since fallen by the way side being accused of corruption, plot to assassinate Mugabe and ineptitude.

As the health of President Mugabe continues to be of concern to many, indicating that the leader is possibly soon or later not going to be able to run the country, succession issue is a topical aspect of concern within Zanu PF and the nation at large. Mnangagwa as the first Vice President is possibly likely to be Acting President in case Mugabe retires or passes on before end of his term.

But analysts have doubts that if Mnangagwa takes over from Mugabe he would be able to turn the fortunes of the nation in terms of reviving international relations and instilling or attracting direct foreign investment confidence.

Bulawayo based political analyst Dumisani Nkomo said he fits into the negates as he is a tough guy image.
"He may struggle with international relations which at the moment are key to economic revival," said Nkomo.

Fortune Mlalazi said in the absence of Mugabe and Mnangagwa in control recently the nation only experienced divisions within the ruling party with him (Mnangagwa) leading in the down with so and so slogan dominating his meetings.

"That on its own should tell you what kind of a leader he is," said Mlalazi.  "If given the ultimate power we might find ourselves in more deep problems under Mnangagwa."

Bulawayo MDC-T deputy spokesperson Felix Mafa Sibanda said Zanu PF is an institution where whoever succeeds Mugabe will bring no significant change to the system, there fore if  Mnangagwa happens to take over there will be no difference at all.

"People from Matabeleland and Midlands can hardly forget the time between 1980 and 1987 during Gukurahundi. Government in collective responsibility and particularly Mnangagwa falls very far to assume Zimbabwe's presidency because of the aforementioned reasons," said
Mafa Sibanda.

Former Bulilima East MP Norman Mpofu said if one looks at the manner members of former Vice President Joice Mujuru faction are handled and how Zapu and its supporters were handled in the 1980s, he has no doubt that once Mnangagwa gets free reign things will be worse as he is the common factor and main actor in the two cases.

"As a nation we should brace for more brutality, violation of the constitution and human rights as he is seen as the mastermind of all evil currently prevailing in the country," said Mpofu. "Then what more if no longer restrained?"