Trump and Mnangagwa have a lot in common

When critics realised that the so-called rift between Mnangagwa and Mthuli Ncube had failed to derail the train, they created another rift. Mnangagwa and Chiwenga were no longer seeing eye-to-eye.

The military had given Mnangagwa months to resign. He should be out by next year.

That theory too now seems to be ringing hollow. Mnangagwa’s juggernaut continues to move on. Demonstrations meant to force him out have failed, thwarted by the very security forces that purportedly want him out.

But Mnangagwa is not only facing resistance from the opposition but also from his own party, especially from the remnants of the G40 faction that wanted him out from the time he was appointed Vice President.

One of its key architects, Jonathan Moyo, now says Chamisa won 66 percent of the vote and Mnangagwa only 33 percent. He says the nation was duped by focussing on V11s instead of V23 forms.

Looking at the litany of problems associated with Mnangagwa one would think he has been in office for years yet he only completed the first of his five years yesterday.

Like Trump, Mnangagwa has not only survived, he is also increasingly exposing the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and his critics.

It appears that MDC leader Nelson Chamisa had been assured -by whom, no one can tell- that he would win the presidential election because he does not seem to have any other alternative but to continue to sing that he won the elections. The so-called evidence from Jonathan Moyo will fuel his argument for a few more months.

Mnangagwa on the other hand has remained steadfast. People have to go through a period of pain after which they will enter into the land of milk and honey.

Very few people believe him. But should this be surprising when no one believed he would be president?

One thing is clear though. If Mnangagwa and his Finance Minister are correct that Zimbabweans have only four more months to endure hardships after which the administration will focus on jobs, productivity and growth, then Chamisa is finished.

The United States might not like Mnangagwa but they seem to be seeing no future in Chamisa either, hence there are reports that Washington is putting its faith in his deputy Tendai Biti.

Biti has been their darling for years especially because of his close links the Centre for Global Development and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

But all this will come to naught if Mnangagwa manages to turn around the country’s economy.

Namibian lecturer Drian Kashkongo, put it aptly:  “Imagine this: when the Biblical Lazarus died, his clothes were distributed amongst his surviving relatives. How did those beneficiaries feel when they heard that a man called Jesus had resurrected Lazarus? Obviously they were not very pleased as some of them were already charming ladies with Lazarus’ wardrobe….

“There are signs of economic stabilisation in Zimbabwe, and obviously this is not good news for the opposition there, which would prefer the economic status quo to remain so that they have something to blame the ruling government.”

It will, therefore, not be plain sailing for Mnangagwa but…….

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