Zimbabwe President Emerson Mnangagwa surprised many when he commandeered his motorcade to Chicken Inn and queued alongside other Zimbabweans at the weekend to buy fried chicken, state media reported on Monday.
With just a month remaining before the Southern African nation heads into its election, the unscheduled stop on Sunday at a fast food outlet in the small town of Chegutu, 100 kilometres (62 miles) west of the capital Harare set out to display the former security chief’s ‘everyman’ credentials.
“He ordered a two-piecer and a minute maid (juice), paid $3.75 with $20 and told me to keep the change,” said Isabel Mtongerwa, the cashier who served Mnangagwa.
“He is very welcoming and makes you feel comfortable in his presence.”
The food outlet was brought to a standstill, as patrons wanted to get a glimpse of the country’s number one.
Emmerson Mnangagwa buying a 2 piece at Chegutu Chicken Inn – 17 June 2018#ZimElections2018 #Mnangagwa #ZimCampaign2018 #EmmersonMnangagwa pic.twitter.com/hcSpLHWuD9
— Zim Locals (@zimlocals) June 17, 2018
President Emmerson Mnangagwa stops Motorcade to buy Chicken Inn in Chegutu https://t.co/XT7X1hBfvz pic.twitter.com/WYuBnB5zSv
— Mbaretimes.com (@mbaretimes) June 18, 2018
Mnangagwa has been working hard to shed his image as Mugabe’s enforcer through his engagement with the public on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, something Mugabe frowned upon.
Ahead of the July 30 poll, twenty three candidates have registered to contest as presidential candidates but Mnangagwa and 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, are the main contenders.
