Rich and powerful politician will not loiter in the background for long, say pundits Can the 'Son of God' rise again? It is a question that concerns many Zimbabweans, who wonder if the man until recently groomed to be President Robert Mugabe's successor may try to steal power. Emmerson Mnangagwa, 61, is Zimbabwe's parliamentary speaker and one of the country's most feared men. To jealous rivals in the ruling Zanu-PF, he is known as the 'Son of God' - a sly reference to Mr Mugabe, the 'godfather of Zimbabwe', and Mr Mnangagwa's apparent place as successor. But shortly before Christmas, Mr Mnangagwa made a monumental blunder that cost him Mr Mugabe's patronage. He colluded with Jonathan Moyo, the country's unloved information minister, to block an attempt to appoint a woman as Zimbabwe's deputy president, a post reserved for the next in line to the presidency and the role Mr Mnangagwa coveted for himself. Mr Moyo was fired and banned from standing on the party's ticket in March's general election. Mr Mnangagwa was lucky to keep his post, but the party's deputy presidency was handed to Joyce Mujuru. But with Mr Mnangagwa boasting impressive contacts in the military, plus an outrageous personal fortune, speculation is rife that he will not accept his excommunication. 'Jesus took three days to come back,' said a Harare political official. 'Maybe Emmerson will take a bit longer, but nobody expects him to stay down for long.' Mr Mugabe's iron rule has forced most critics to a state of timidity, but Mr Mnangagwa stands out as the one figure who would dare to take on his chief. His financial clout is a result of dealings in everything from diamonds to military supply contracts during the civil war in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. He made so much money out of that conflict, the UN Security Council in 2002 singled him out for illegally exploiting minerals and precious stones in the country, accusations he has denied. He shares close ties with Zimbabwe's top brass, including the Central Intelligence Organisation, which he controlled and used to hunt down Mr Mugabe's enemies. Mr Mnangagwa is saying little about his ambitions. Instead, he has allowed others to do the talking for him. When Mr Mugabe returned from Asia last week, he was greeted by a rare demonstration: supporters from within his own party, angry they couldn't choose their candidates in March. The protest was probably organised by Mr Mnangagwa's supporters. Whatever designs he may have on the top job, for now at least, he claims to remain loyal to his boss. 'It is a crime to conceive the exit of the head of state. I love my leader and I am committed to him,' he told state radio. 'I would love him to continue [to rule] until death.'
