From shopping sprees to power plays

– Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s wife was once dismissed as a lightweight shopping addict with no political interests, but Grace Mugabe has recently emerged as a potential challenger for power.

Aged 52, the first lady has become increasingly active in public life and in 2014 became the head the Zanu-PF party’s women’s wing.

Court politics are complex in Zimbabwe, but she is thought to be backed by “G-40”, a group of young activists of the under-40 generation that has earned a reputation for aggression.

She regularly attends rallies across the country, railing against anyone alleged to be disloyal to the president, and handing out clothes and domestic goods.

She told crowds in 2015 that she would put her husband in a wheelchair if necessary so he could run for re-election.

She has often been accused of extravagant spending on luxury clothes and international travel, and of involvement in corrupt land deals.

Dubbed “Gucci Grace”, “The First Shopper”, or even “DisGrace”, she showed her political mettle in 2014 with her ruthless campaign against then vice-president Joice Mujuru, who was a contender to succeed her husband.

She launched sustained verbal attacks against Mujuru, accusing her of corruption and plotting to topple the president.

Soon afterwards, Mujuru, who had held Cabinet posts in every Mugabe government since independence in 1980, was ousted from the party.

But political analyst Earnest Mudzengi said Grace Mugabe lacks popular appeal and has stirred disharmony in Zanu-PF.

“She was literally hand-picked. She has created enemies and enemies are being created as we speak; just look at the purges in Zanu-PF,” Mudzengi said.

“She does not have popular support and does not fit in with how Zanu-PF leaders are chosen. Someone should have liberation war credentials or must have worked tirelessly for the party.”