Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party leaders held their first meeting of the post Robert Mugabe era on Wednesday, with many Zimbabweans keen to know who new President Emmerson Mnangagwa will appoint as his two deputies.
Mnangagwa, a former deputy himself, was sacked by Mugabe on November 6, sparking a military takeover that led to the resignation of the 93-year old.
Having fled the country in fear of his life, Mnangagwa returned to take over as president on a caretaker basis until elections are held in 2018.
Zimbabweans are keen to see if the new leader will shake off the old guard in his appointments, which are expected to be announced before the end of the year.
Party and government officials have refused to comment on speculation in privately-owned newspapers and on social media that Mnangagwa is likely to appoint military chief General Constantine Chiwenga one of his deputies as a reward for spearheading the takeover that ended Mugabe’s rule.
Mnangagwa has been criticized by the opposition and some Zimbabweans for appointing former air force commander Perrance Shiri as agriculture minister and General Sibusiso Moyo as foreign and international trade minister rather than bringing in younger candidates less associated with the Mugabe era.
Wednesday’s meeting came just a day after Mugabe flew out to Singapore for routine medical checkups.
