Zimbabwe vice-president fired, opening way for Mugabe’s wife
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Monday fired a vice-president who had previously been seen as a likely successor, removing an obstacle to the presidential ambitions of Mugabe’s wife.
Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa was removed from office “with immediate effect,” the government said, opening the way to the possible appointment of Grace Mugabe, 52, to the post.
The 93-year-old president and his wife have in recent months accused Mnangagwa of plotting to oust Zimbabwe’s leader, who has been in power since independence from white minority rule in 1980.
Mnangagwa had been vicepresident since 2014 when his predecessor, Joice Mujuru, was fired for allegedly plotting to oust Mugabe. His dismissal was announced by Simon Khaya Moyo, the information minister.
“It had become evident that his conduct in the discharge of his duties had become inconsistent with his official responsibilities. The vice-president has consistently and persistently exhibited traits of disloyalty, disrespect, deceitfulness and unreliability,” said Khaya Moyo.
Speculation is now swirling over whether Grace Mugabe will be appointed to the vacant vicepresident’s post at a party congress next month. On Sunday, she said at a rally that she was ready to take over from her husband.
“So I have said to the president: ‘You can also leave me in charge,’ ”she said. “‘Give me the job and I will do it very well because I am good.’ ”