Is Robert Mugabe a classic psychopath? Is this a case for impeachment?

The definition of a clinical psychopath fits the description of Robert Mugabe so perfectly, it is spine-chilling:

“In current clinical use, psychopathy is most commonly diagnosed using the checklist devised by Emeritus Professor Robert Hare. He describes psychopaths as “intraspecies predators” who use charm, manipulation, intimidation, and violence to control others and to satisfy their own selfish needs. Lacking in conscience and in feelings for others, they take what they want and do as they please, violating social norms and expectations without guilt or remorse. What is missing, in other words, are the very qualities that allow a human being to live in social harmony.” (Wikipedia)

Could it be that the Zimbabwean President is insane? A few examples of his behaviour would seem to bear this out:

• His theft by violence and manipulation of every election since 1990, while insisting that democratic principles were being upheld.
• The creation of the 5th Brigade, followed by the Green Bombers (Youth Brigade); both militias deliberately trained and deployed for one purpose, to murder and mutilate defenceless citizens.
• The Gukurahundi massacres in Matabeleland - with no subsequent remorse or guilt shown.
• His sincere assertion that: “No-one could have managed the (Zimbabwe) economy better than me.”
• Operation Murambatsvina in urban centres nation-wide, followed by a second, pitiless repetition of the ‘clearouts’.
• Gloating over the prospect of starving to death his political opponents in Matabeleland.

Most Zimbabweans by now have noticed a clear trend: Mugabe’s reaction to negative emotions is to commit impulsive, violent acts. He has exhibited this behaviour every time he is challenged or frustrated, or when he feels insulted - e.g. by the intrepid Peter Tatchell. The trend started mildly, with small things such as creating a law against insulting the President, but has escalated rapidly since then. His reaction to defeat in the Constitutional referendum in 2000 was dazed disbelief, after which he unleashed the violent land invasions and farm evictions. Whenever he sees a real or imagined threat to his rule, he perpetrates vicious warfare against the unarmed population, while at the same time seeing it as “preserving the peace”!

During his career Mugabe has often changed the law of the land in order to justify and allow his actions. This is consistent with psychopathic behaviour:

“It is thought that any emotions which the primary psychopath exhibits are the fruits of watching and mimicking other people’s emotions. Psychopaths show poor impulse control and a low tolerance for frustration and aggression… However, they understand that society expects them to behave in a conscientious manner, and therefore they mimic this behavior when it suits their needs.”

It would thus surprise nobody if Mugabe put a bill through his parliament to legalise murder and torture. He would then feel that he had done the right thing in terms of societal requirements. More importantly he would expect to be in a position to claim innocence in the event of having to face someone else’s justice.

“Nothing I have done is illegal,” he would proudly declare - and believe it!

The Zimbabwean President may also be schizophrenic, as evidenced by the fact that he always refers to himself in the third person.

“We”, he often says,“Do not tolerate any threat to our security…”

But perhaps he simply wishes so ardently to be the like the Queen that he mimics her royal plural (a custom dating from the time when a sovereign was believed to rule by divine appointment). One of Mugabe’s favourite words is ‘sovereignty’.

His narcissism is evident in all that he does and says; another major symptom of the psychopath. He believes himself to be irresistibly attractive - handsome, virile, a genius and practically immortal. He revels in the admiration of his fellow African heads of state and the attention of the world media.

No reasoning, nor appeals for compassion or mercy has the slightest effect on Zimbabwe’s head of state. He has boasted of his ‘degrees in violence” and that his perceived enemies “must fear death.” But he has never publicly uttered a word of compassion, pity or kindness. The closest he has come to showing remorse for the Matabeleland massacres, is to describe them as “ a moment of madness” - perhaps he knows he is a monster. He prefers to see Zimbabwe in a state of chaos and misery, than to consider any relaxation of his death grip on personal power and prestige. His manipulative cunning - yet another hallmark of the psychopath - is well known even among his closest associates.

“They have no empathy, remorse, anxiety or guilt in relation to their behavior. In short, they truly are devoid of conscience.”

If the President is mentally ill, could a spell in hospital straighten him out, enabling a welcome return to good governance?

Apparently not: “..(Psychopaths) are generally considered to be not only incurable but also untreatable.”

It is easy for the layman to conclude, from the abundant clues on public record, that Robert Mugabe is a human predator with an incurable sickness. If that is the case, he is unfit to hold office. A professional psychological assessment would be very interesting.

The Zimbabwean constitution allows for a President to be removed from office in the event of insanity. If the evidence contained in Robert Mugabe’s words and actions over the last ten years was analysed, and an official diagnosis of illness reached, could a motion for impeachment be tabled in Parliament?

And who would be in a position to try?

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