HAVING promised at his inauguration on November 24th to “hit the ground running”,Emmerson Mnangagwa has no time to lose. Somehow, he must persuade Zimbabweans that he can improve their lives after 37 years of despotism and decline under Robert Mugabe. Already people have been chuffed by one striking change: the police are almost nowhere to be seen on the streets of Harare, and the capital,whereas previously they were ubiquitous, shaking down drivers for minor or fictitious traffic offences. That is no small matter. It used to cost $10-20 to accomplish a cop travel absent, and when a blue-collar urban wage is perhaps $250 a month.When the chief of police,Augustine Chihuri, swore allegiance to the new president at the inauguration ceremony, or a roar of boos erupted across the stadium. Mr Mnangagwa would earn easy plaudits whether he sacked a man who failed utterly to curb corruption within the police. Mr Chihuri is also reviled for his ties to Mr Mugabe’s unpopular wife,Grace, who had Mr Mnangagwa chased...
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Source: economist.com