The newly appointed Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa has poured cold water on a coalition government with opposition parties promising to deliver a credible free and fair elections next year.
Mnangagwa was addressing thousands of people who thronged the National Sports Stadium to witness his inauguration ceremony as the country’s second executive president.
Despite his strong association with the brutal regime of former president Mugabe, Mnangagwa promised democracy, reaching out to other countries for help to repair the country’s battered image soiled by repeated allegations of vote rigging and violence against perceived opponents of the ruling party.
“The voice of the people is the voice of God and no one can go against it. in the same vein, the 2018 elections will go ahead as planned and i promise you that they will be as free and fair as possible.
“The country will witness a very democratic election in the coming year and i urge all of us to continue preparing in peace for them,” said the 75 year old former Intelligence boss.
This put to bed prospects of a transitional arrangement with the opposition parties who united in pushing for Mugabe’s resignation during last week’s massive demonstration in Harare
Mnangagwa castigated laziness in the public service saying the time for inefficiency in the civil service was over.
“Public service workers should be ready to work. We have an economy to recover and people to serve, gone are the days of absenteeism and extortion, a new culture must now inform our operations,” said Mnangagwa.
He came to power following the resignation of long term , former president, Robert Mugabe who gave in to public pressure and the intervention of the military.
He pledged to take swift action against corruption, a cancer that had taken roots in Mugabe’s administration for over two decades.
Mnangagwa paid homage to Mugabe for his contribution to the political independence of Zimbabwe.
“Mugabe’s immense contribution to Zimbabwe should be recognized. He fought for our freedom .Let us all accept and acknowledge his immense contribution to our nation,” added Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa’s inauguration ceremony was attended by President of Botswana, Iam Khama, Edgar Lungu of Zambia, Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique and other African leaders.
