9781422277690

tive agricultural sectors. It also had significant mineral resources, including gold, platinum, and coal. In short, there seemed little reason why the country couldn’t flourish. All it needed was good governance. Unfortunately, Mugabe did not deliver good governance. In fact, he became one of the world’s most notorious, corrupt, and bru- tal dictators. In the process, he devastated Zimbabwe. Mugabe’s evolution from hero of independence to cruel tyrant began soon after his election as prime minister. In 1981 Mugabe announced his intention to trans- form Zimbabwe into a socialist state—and he openly called for violence against anyone who opposed his plans. Mugabe built

To consolidate his own power, Mugabe dismissed fellow independence leader Joshua Nkomo (pictured here) from his government in 1982. In the civil war that resulted, Mugabe unleashed his private military force, the Fifth Brigade, to attack and terrorize civilians who sup- ported Nkomo.

an elite military force known as the Fifth Brigade. It was never integrated into Zimbabwe’s regular army. Instead, it was answerable only to the prime minister. The Fifth Brigade became Mugabe’s personal army. In 1982 Mugabe dismissed one of his ministers, Joshua Nkomo. The move would have serious repercussions. Nkomo was the leader of the ZAPU party, whose rivalry with

12

Dictatorship: Authoritarian Rule