Feared Zimbabwean minister dubbed 'Crocodile' set to rule after Mugabe

Harare, Apr 11 (ANI): Zimbabwean Defence Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is nick named 'The Crocodile' for his ruthless reputation, is expected to take power in the country, even as officials denied reports that President Robert Mugabe was fighting for death in Singapore hospital.

Mnangagwa, the former head of Zimbabwe's Central Intelligence Organisation, is among Africa's most feared men.

According to The Sun, Mugabe's opponents are terrified that ruthless Mnangagwa, 66, has been groomed to take over.

Nicknamed "Crocodile" for his ability to inflict terrible injuries, it is claimed he played a major role in slaughtering 20,000 supporters of Mugabe rival Joshua Nkomo in the 1980s.

According to some media reports, Mugabe had signed a secret 'gentleman's agreement' to hand over power to 'monster' Mnangagwa.

In the clearest sign yet that he is being groomed for the top job, Mnangagwa, 65, was recently send to Tehran where he met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a key anti-Western ally. (ANI)