Staff ReporterIn his first public address as Zanu-PF President and first secretary, President to be Emmerson Mnangagwa exposed that he was in constant contact with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) under Commander General Constantino Chiwenga’s leadership.
I wish also to thank the manner our Defence Forces under the leadership of General Chiwenga have been able to manage this process peacefully. I was in constant contact with the service chiefs throughout… he said.
There has been speculation that Mnangagwa and Chiwenga met in China and plotted to remove Mugabe when the former was ousted by Robert Mugabe as Zimbabwe’s Vice President on 6 November.
State Newspaper Daily News reported Emmerson Mnangagwa went to China after fleeing Zimbabwe following his dismissal and arrived in that country from South Africa. Chiwenga was also in China at the time the story was published although it still remains unclear if the two did meet. However, Chiwenga initiated the military intervention code named “Operation Restore Legacy” after returning from China.
Human Rights activist and lawyer, Doug Coltart argues that Mnangagwa’s admittance that he was in constant touch with the military leaves no doubt that Operation Restore Order was a coup. Coltart urges Mnangagwa to set up an inclusive transitional process to ensure free and fair elections. Said Coltart:
