First years under Mugabe Ian Smith

robert mugabe, elected prime minister in 1980, faced official opposition headed smith until 1987.

the new zimbabwean parliament opened on 15 may 1980, month after formal independence britain, smith reconstituted country s first leader of opposition. continuing long-standing tradition rhodesian era, government , opposition entered house in pairs—mugabe , smith walked in side side respective mps following, aptly symbolis[ing] mood of reconciliation , martin meredith comments. around 1,000 whites leaving zimbabwe each month, smith took radio urge them stay , give mugabe s new order chance, on half of country s whites left within 3 years. meredith records, 100,000 or remained retreated own world of clubs, sporting activities, , comfortable living . mugabe made great efforts when first took power endear himself white farming community, accounted @ least 75% of zimbabwe s agricultural output. amid booming zimbabwean commodity prices in years following 1980, many white commercial farmers came support mugabe. new prime minister continued cordially meeting smith until rf leader took him task in 1981 openly calling one-party state; smith said putting off foreign investors. mugabe not impressed and, according smith, refused ever meet him again.

as mugabe s main opponent in parliament @ head of republican front (as rf renamed in 1981), smith presented himself guardian of called zimbabwe s white tribe . spoke gloomily zimbabwe s future prospects, repeatedly accused mugabe administration of corruption, malevolence , general incompetence, , criticised mugabe s support one-party system. rf took increasingly confrontational line in house after mugabe , other government ministers began regularly pouring scorn on white community in national broadcasts , other media. amid rising tensions south africa, various white zimbabweans arrested, accused of being south african agents, , tortured. when smith complained whites being imprisoned without trial under emergency powers, number of zanu–pf mps pointed out had been detained under same legislation, , far longer, smith s government. mugabe openly admitted torturing suspected spies, had found not guilty high court rearrested on street outside, , accused western critics of caring because people in question white.

smith visited britain , united states in november 1982, , spoke scathingly zimbabwe reporters, claiming mugabe turning country totalitarian marxist–leninist dictatorship. government retribution immediate. on smith s return home, police raided art exhibition hosting him guest of honour in harare (as salisbury had been renamed in april 1982) , took attendees in questioning, ostensibly because of suspicions might illegal political meeting. week later, police seized passport, according government statement because criticism of zimbabwe while abroad constituted political bad manners , hooliganism . police meticulously searched harare house , gwenoro on next week, confiscating firearms, personal papers , diary. smith told reporters part of game intimidate me , demoralise whites . rf mps left party sit zanu–pf or independents, feeling confronting mugabe ill-advised , unnecessary. smith, however, remained convinced nobody stand white zimbabweans if did not stick , defend interests in parliament.

smith hempstone later wrote former prime minister had resolved go down ... rhetorical guns blazing . in spite of increasingly unstable health; in june 1982 collapsed in house of assembly, clutching @ side , shaking. half year later had arrange treatment in south africa condition stemming hardening of arteries. government s confiscation of passport , 2 refusals of return prevented him going, in april 1983 smith applied british passport. ll still try zimbabwean passport back, said. born here , passport should travel on. smith regained zimbabwean papers after year. in 1984 declared intention renounce british nationality abide new zimbabwean law outlawing multiple citizenship. britain did not recognise legislation; according smith, british officials refused take uk passport when tried return it.