by Elijah Chihota
President Emmerson Mnangagwa explained to the world that his electoral victory during the 30 July polls was legitimate during an interview with Cable News Network (CNN) journalist, Christiane Amanpour in New York, United States yesterday.
“Yes, indeed in terms of our Constitution and in terms of the Commonwealth Parliamentary democracy is first past the post and I had 50.6 percent and my nearest contender had 44 percent,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa indicated that he narrowly won the election, thus, avoiding a run off.
“In terms of our Constitution I won the elections although the victory is very narrow as you say, I agree,” pointed the President.
The President went on to note that the new dispensation was a clear departure from the first republic in terms of Cabinet posts and infusion of new faces.
“If you look at me then you would say I belong to the old guard that’s a fact, but look at the Cabinet how many people are new in that Cabinet you can see the direction that we are taking,” said President Mnangagwa.
The Zimbabwean Second Republic saw a new 21 member Cabinet instead of the past which had more than 30 members. The new look Cabinet has an infusion of technocrats and has a component of gender balance.
President Mnangagwa is attending the 73rd session of United Nations General Assembly and is expected to make his inaugural speech on the 26th of September 2018.
