By Alexio C Shumba| A huge reputational disaster awaits Emmerson Mnangagwa following former president Robert Mugabe’s shocking refusal to be buried at the national shrine he built, the Heroes Acre. Since taking over power, Mnangagwa has gone on a tirade to wipe out every memory of the Mugabes to the extreme levels of leaving only one Gushungo relative, Phillip Chiyangwa alive (politically). Ironically, Chiyangwa is the same man who once suffered arrest and public humiliation for him (Mnangagwa).
The tale begins exactly 14 years before the November 2017 coup, when a secret meeting was held at Chiyangwa’s house in Borrowdale where Mnangagwa’s top aide, July Moyo was hosted by Fidza, as he is affectionately called, so to push for Mnangagwa to take over from his boss, Robert Mugabe. It was all planned, and Mugabe had promised that he was now leaving the country in the hands of his trusted aide from the 70s.
A second meeting was held at Chiyangwa’s village home where there were several (party) provincial Chairpersons and governors, which thing riled the then President Mugabe.
The plot, was however foiled and resulted in Mnangagwa being demoted to a weak ministerial position and Chiyangwa being arrested.
Fast forward to 2017, Mugabe was removed in a military coup, and afterwhich Mnangagwa claimed that he would work to preserve the Mugabe family and the legacy, assuring even the regional heads of state that “your brother is safe and his security is guaranteed.” Mnangagwa would go to the extent of claiming he, not his opponent Nelson Chamisa, is the rightful successor to Mugabe, emphasising that he is the only one authorised to maintain the former Head Of State’s name and legacy. Mnangagwa would go to the extent of claiming exclusive rights to the Mugabe scarf.
But Mnangagwa has been doing the very opposite. Every Mugabe relative and friend has been kicked out of ZANU PF positions from the least to the greatest, leaving only Mugabe’s cousin brother, Chiyangwa hanging in the balance.
Soon after the coup, President Mugabe described the transition as a disgrace the nation must rid itself of. 4 months later, Mugabe would endorse MDC President Nelson Chamisa as his preferred heir.
A weekly reported that Mugabe has always described Mnangagwa as an “illegal and illegitimate president” who rose to power through the barrel of the gun and yearned for assistance from the African Union to restore his presidency. Mugabe apparently does not attach much value to his resignation on November 21, 2017, which he tendered under immense pressure from the army and following demonstrations that rocked the country.
According to the sources, Mugabe also revealed that he doesn’t want to be buried at the National Heroes Acre. Rather, he would prefer to be buried close to his mother, Bona in his home of Zvimba.
A family source was quoted as saying, “Mugabe has made it clear to his family that he does not wish to be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre anymore. He does not want to be associated with Mnangagwa and all those he now views as his betrayers and tormentors.
“He has said he doesn’t want them to sing and pontificate over his dead body. He has informed relatives about his decision and this is known in the family; it’s also now known in government circles.”
Scores of Zimbabweans have so far described Mnangagwa as the worst ZANU PF leader the country has had since independence.
“Mugabe was better than this guy,” Patrick Muza, a 33-year-old minibus driver, told the New York Times in a weekend feature.
He continued saying, “during the coup, we were happy… But we didn’t realize what was to come.”
“The current regime is worse than Robert Mugabe on all fronts,” said Obert Masaraure, the head of a teachers’ union who said he had twice been abducted and tortured by military officers since the start of the year, before being handed over both times to the police.
“Under Robert Mugabe, I was never abducted for engaging in trade unionism,” Mr. Masaraure added. “Under Robert Mugabe, I was never thrown in a maximum-security prison for 16 days.
When it was revealed Mugabe’s health has deteriorated last week, Mnangagwa announced he is sending dignitaries to the 95 year old’s side. Sources said this is Mnangagwa’s last ditch attempt to persuade the old man for his blessings. If Mugabe dies today, what will Mnangagwa do?