Former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has revealed that he fled the country because there were plans to eliminate him in police custody. In a press statement released today, Mnangagwa said that he will not come back home until his colleagues in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and in Zanu-PF reassure him that his security is now guaranteed.
Part of the press statement reads:
I told the President that I would not return home now until I am satisfied of my personal security, because of the manner and treatment given to me upon being fired.
Given the events that followed my dismissal on Monday 6th November 2017 at 4.00pm, my security details assigned to me and at my residency were immediately withdrawn. This was contrary to all the protocols that have exited in Zimbabwe to former State Vice Presidents of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Security personnel, who are friendly to me, warned me that plans were underfoot to eliminate me once arrested and taken to a police station. It was in my security interest to leave the country immediately.
…as promised in my last communication I will be returning home as soon as the right conditions for security and stability prevail.
…He (Mugabe) requested me to come to State House, and I replied that I was out of the country and that he had already removed my status as the vice president of the country, as such I had no status, however, I can only come at the invitation of my colleagues in the party and of the defence forces, when they feel that my security is guaranteed.