Harare, Zimbabwe(News of the South)-President Mugabe is being driven by fear to remain in power and will not relinquish his position due to various facets of the paranoia that he has, analyst Dr Alex Magaisa, formerly Tsvangirai’s advisor in the Government of National Unity (GNU) says.
In an article commemorating the President’s turning 93 years the United Kingdom based Law lecturer said Mugabe has various types of fear that have shackled him to power.
“Mugabe has often come across as a strong character driven by ambition, but behind that veneer of bravado lies a terrified soul who is really driven by fear. His obstinacy and refusal to retire is predominantly driven by fear arising from a number of sources”, he said.
“First Mugabe is scared of life outside the comforts of powerful office. He has spent the bulk of his adult life in a position of immense power (and) he does not know any other life outside office”.
“Everything in his world is almost perfect. He moves around in a long motorcade, guarded at all corners. The roads to his home have bright lights and are well paved. There are no potholes to disturb the presidential ride”.
“He literally sees Zimbabwe through tinted windows (since) everything is organized to meet his personal desires and comforts”, said Magaisa.
Magaisa added that Mugabe also fears persecution where he to vacate office.
“Mugabe is scared of retribution and losing the protection of office. As a leader he has presided over so much that could expose him to criminal or civil prosecution. The only shield that protects him is presidential immunity.”
“His long reign has produced many victims and survivors who might seek redress. Gukurahundi and the 2008 election violence are just two familiar examples. His age might not even offer protection”.
“Survivors and victims of former Chilean dictator, the late Pinochet pursued him in his twilight years. Closer in Africa, Charles Taylor, the former Liberian tyrant, is serving a jail term for part atrocities during his murderous reign”.
“Mugabe genuinely fears prosecution”.
Magaisa also named lack of trust in his lieutenants as another reason for Mugabe’s continued hold on power saying some ministers have done dirty work on behalf of him but that has not translated into trust.
President Mugabe is now onto his 37th year in power having ascended to the position of power after independence from Britain in 1980.
His 93rd birthday was held in Matopos recently but his health has continued on a slow degenerative decline which currently has seen him taking a sick leave to Singapore.
Speaking at a rally recently Grace Mugabe, his wife said the aged leader could continue to reign even from the grave.
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