Mnangagwa sworn in as new President of Zimbabwe

Last updated: 24 November 2017, 12:18 pm

Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn as President of Zimbabwe in front of thousands of cheering supporters at Harare's national stadium.

The ceremony brings the final curtain down on the 37-year rule of Robert Mugabe.

Addressing the packed 60,000-seat stadium, the 75-year-old former security chief known as “The Crocodile” vowed to uphold the constitution of the former British colony and protect the rights of all Zimbabwe's 16 million citizens.

He said he was "not oblivious to the many Zimbabweans from across the political and racial divide who have helped make this day."

He paid tribute to predecessor Robert Mugabe, describing him as "a father, mentor, comrade-in-arms and my leader".

His words on the topic of Mugabe was met with quiet applause.

Too tied to old regime?

Army chief Gen Constantine Chiwenga, the man behind the takeover last week, pledged his allegiance to the new president during the ceremony.

The crowd is booed Zimbabwe's police chief Augustine Chihuri as he gave his pledge of allegiance.

Chihuri is seen as a backer of the former First Lady Grace Mugabe, who orchestrated Mnangagwa's dismissal as her husband's deputy.

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Even though most Zimbabweans celebrated the exit of 93-year-old Mugabe, who presided over the descent into penury and despotism of one of Africa's brightest prospects, some are worried about the future under Mnangagwa.

In particular, they question his role in the so-called Gukurahundi massacres in Matabeleland in 1983, when an estimated 20,000 people were killed in a crackdown on Mugabe opponents by the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade.

Mnangagwa has denied any part in the atrocities and since his return to Zimbabwe after two weeks in hiding has been preaching democracy, tolerance and respect for the rule of law.