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Zimbabwe’s incoming leader revealed recent plots to kill him as he addressed huge crowds outside the ruling party’s headquarters.

Emmerson Mnangagwa today made his first public appearance since returning to the country after going into hiding.

He fled the country in fear of his life after being sacked by Robert Mugabe who stepped down yesterday amid a week-long military coup.

He told onlookers: “On the August 12, I was subjected to poisoning that resulted in my being airlifted to South Africa.

"I thank you, the people of Zimbabwe, for your prayers. I survived that poisoning.

"This time around I said to myself I should not wait for them to eliminate me but let me go out and with you the people of Zimbabwe make your voice be heard.

"Today, this evening, I feel so humbled that you remained here until this hour at our headquarters waiting for me, that you see me and I see you.

Celebrations in Zimbabwe following Robert Mugabe's resignation 19 show all Celebrations in Zimbabwe following Robert Mugabe's resignation 1/19 Supporters of Emmerson Mnangagwa, the man expected to become Zimbabwe's new president and known as "The Crocodile", hold a stuffed crocodile and pictures of him as they cheer at Manyame Air Force base in Harare AP 2/19 Zimbabweans celebrate in the morning sun after President Robert Mugabe resigned in Harare, Zimbabwe Reuters 3/19 Zimbabweans drink, dance, sing and ride on cars as they celebrate at night at an intersection in downtown Harare AP 4/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after President Robert Mugabe resigns in Harare Reuters 5/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after President Robert Mugabe resigns in Harare Reuters 6/19 Zimbabweans celebrate in neighbouring Hillbrow, Johannesburg, South Africa AP 7/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe resigned in Harare AP 8/19 Zimbabweans drink, sing, and dance on top of passing vehicles as they celebrate at night at an intersection in downtown Harare AP 9/19 Zimbabweans celebrate in the streets of Harare AP 10/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after hearing about the resignation of President Robert Mugabe in Harare, AP 11/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after hearing about the resignation of President Robert Mugabe in Harare, AP 12/19 People and soldiers celebrate after the resignation of Zimbabwe's president AFP/Getty Images 13/19 People holding Zimbabwean flags celebrate in the street after the resignation of Zimbabwe's president AFP/Getty Images 14/19 Zimbabwe's members of parliament celebrate after Mugabe's resignation AFP/Getty Images 15/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after hearing about the resignation of President Robert Mugabe in Harare Sky News 16/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after hearing about the resignation of President Robert Mugabe in Harare Sky News 17/19 Zimbabweans celebrate in Harare AP 18/19 People celebrate in the streets after the resignation of Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe AFP/Getty Images 19/19 Zimbabwe's members of parliament celebrate after Mugabe's resignation AFP/Getty Images 1/19 Supporters of Emmerson Mnangagwa, the man expected to become Zimbabwe's new president and known as "The Crocodile", hold a stuffed crocodile and pictures of him as they cheer at Manyame Air Force base in Harare AP 2/19 Zimbabweans celebrate in the morning sun after President Robert Mugabe resigned in Harare, Zimbabwe Reuters 3/19 Zimbabweans drink, dance, sing and ride on cars as they celebrate at night at an intersection in downtown Harare AP 4/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after President Robert Mugabe resigns in Harare Reuters 5/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after President Robert Mugabe resigns in Harare Reuters 6/19 Zimbabweans celebrate in neighbouring Hillbrow, Johannesburg, South Africa AP 7/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe resigned in Harare AP 8/19 Zimbabweans drink, sing, and dance on top of passing vehicles as they celebrate at night at an intersection in downtown Harare AP 9/19 Zimbabweans celebrate in the streets of Harare AP 10/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after hearing about the resignation of President Robert Mugabe in Harare, AP 11/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after hearing about the resignation of President Robert Mugabe in Harare, AP 12/19 People and soldiers celebrate after the resignation of Zimbabwe's president AFP/Getty Images 13/19 People holding Zimbabwean flags celebrate in the street after the resignation of Zimbabwe's president AFP/Getty Images 14/19 Zimbabwe's members of parliament celebrate after Mugabe's resignation AFP/Getty Images 15/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after hearing about the resignation of President Robert Mugabe in Harare Sky News 16/19 Zimbabweans celebrate after hearing about the resignation of President Robert Mugabe in Harare Sky News 17/19 Zimbabweans celebrate in Harare AP 18/19 People celebrate in the streets after the resignation of Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe AFP/Getty Images 19/19 Zimbabwe's members of parliament celebrate after Mugabe's resignation AFP/Getty Images

He was introduced as "president-in-waiting" by a speaker who praised Zimbabwe's military as "the most disciplined army in the world" during the past weeks’ events.

Mnangagwa said the country will witness a "new and unfolding democracy" and revealed he had written a letter to Mugabe saying “the people have spoken”.

He added that he pressure to "derail the process" of getting Mugabe to step down was intense but insisted "the will of the people will always, always succeed."

He said he told the former president: “You yourself said if the people said I must step down you shall comply

“The voice of the people is the voice of God.

“Today we are witnessing the dawn of a new and unfolding democracy in our country.”

Mnangagwa thanked military officials who helped remove Mugabe from power and branded his predecessor “the former president of Zimbabwe”.

Crowds roared in celebration as the president-elect has also pledged "jobs, jobs" for Zimbabweans.

He asked for cooperation from fellow African nations.

And speaking in the Shona language, he repeatedly backed Zanu-PF and said "down with enemies."

Mnangagwa is due to be sworn in on Friday.