One of the most feared men in Zimbabwe, notorious for his part in masterminding the massacre of thousands of civilians, re-emerged as President Robert Mugabe's most favoured successor on Wednesday.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, who once threatened to "shorten the stay on Earth" of any "cockroaches" who dared to oppose Mr Mugabe, became vice-president and Zimbabwe's possible next leader.

Newly appointed deputy president Emmerson Mnangagwa. Credit:Reuters

His promotion crowned more than 40 years of loyal service to 90-year-old Mr Mugabe. When Zimbabwe achieved independence in 1980, Mr Mnangagwa was appointed security minister and political head of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).

As well as directing the CIO's part in the repression, Mr Mnangagwa delivered chilling public speeches. At one rally in 1983, he called the opposition "cockroaches" and threatened to burn "all the villages infested with dissidents".