Mugabe Appoints Mnangagwa As New VP

Emmerson Mnangagwa, pictured in Harare on 2008, is in pole position to be Zimbabwe's next president after his promotion to vice president ©Alexander Joe (AFP)

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday named hardliner Emmerson Mnangagwa as his vice president, putting the former justice minister in pole position to succeed him.

AFP reports Mugabe announced the appointment at party headquarters to loud applause, days after sacking one-time presidential hopeful turned rival Joice Mujuru as vice president.

Nicknamed "Ngwena" (The Crocodile) because of his ruthlessness, Mnangagwa has held various senior posts in the country's defence and internal security apparatus.

He is reputed to be one of the richest men in the country and is also renowned for his stern demeanour and tough talk.

The 68-year-old played a critical role in Mugabe's crackdown against opposition supporters that claimed thousands of lives in the 1980s, and which became internationally known as "Gukurahundi."

Mnangagwa also helped Mugabe hold on to power during 2008 elections, which the opposition won in the first round, but which were in the second round boycotted because of widespread intimidation and violence.

On Wednesday 90-year-old Mugabe also named former diplomat Phelekezela Mphoko to the largely symbolic post of second vice president.

"There are two vice-presidents. From the former ZANU we have Emmerson Mnangagwa," Mugabe said. "We say congratulations to him."

"From the former ZAPU we have Phelekezela Mphoko."