Why now: The rising tide against Mnangagwa

For years people of Zimbabwe have been called all sorts of names simply because they would not rise against Mugabe.

Suddenly, when it is least expected, they are strongly rising against Mnangagwa.

In the years leading to and soon after independence Robert Mugabe was hugely respected by the black population of Zimbabwe. He was especially respected for the role he played in freeing Zimbabwe from the clutches of racist colonial rule.

Not only was he respected in Zimbabwe, but throughout Africa. His Pan-Africanist and nationalist rhetoric struck a resonant chord with many who had been victims of colonialism. His stance, though very unpopular in the West where the beneficiaries of colonialism reside, had a lot of sympathy in those countries who had been victims.

On the other hand Mnangagwa simply does not have the same gravitas as Mugabe. He does not have the same causality to command respect.

Many Zimbabweans also believed Mugabe had made a good effort for the country but a lot of it had come to nought because he was surrounded by bad people. Emerson Mnangagwa was counted among those on the bad side of Mugabe's coterie.

It is therefore simple logic to understand that Mnangagwa does not have as much leeway among Zimbabweans as Mugabe had. Unfortunately ED himself does not seem to understand that. He seems to think he is a perfect fit for Mugabe's shoes.

The way things are going it should be clear he is not. Zimbabweans are simply not prepared to show as much resilience under him as they did under his former boss.

If Mnangagwa does not start listening to those who have proper economic policies and knowledge, and continues to be misled by the rabble of Mugabe hangers-on that he inherited, he is going to find the going very tough. The hoi polloi are only interested in lining their pockets. They use access to power to skim from the fiscus, not to protect the centre of power.

Mnangagwa should be aware that those close to him are pushing him in a direction that makes them rich, but exposes him to failure. They are racing their truck while they know the engine is about to knock. They don't care about the engine, they just want to get as much kilometrage out of the truck as they can.

I hope The Crocodile has enough presence of mind to realize that what he needs to do now is focus inside Zimbabwe not on globe-trotting.