“(President) Mugabe has
exercised his powers to relieve honourable vice president E.D. Mnangagwa of his
position as vice president,” Information Minister Simon Khaya Moyo told a press
briefing in Harare, accusing him of “disloyalty”.
Zimbabwean President Robert
Mugabe fired Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday, the government said,
as the battle between Mnangagwa and Mugabe’s wife Grace to succeed the veteran
leader intensified.
Mugabe’s dramatic move came
after a weekend of high drama between Mnangagwa and Grace after which Mugabe
appeared to finally back his wife in the succession race.
On Saturday the 93-year-old
president threatened to fire Mnangagwa, accusing him of fanning factionalism to
garner support ahead of a party special congress due in December, after Grace
was booed at a weekend rally.
Grace responded defiantly
on Sunday by saying that she was ready to succeed her husband.
“It had become evident that
his conduct in the discharge of his duties had become inconsistent with his
official responsibilities,” Moyo said.
“The vice president has
consistently and persistently exhibited the traits of disloyalty, disrespect,
deceitfulness and unreliability.”
Mnangagwa was appointed
vice president in 2014, taking over from Joice Mujuru — who was axed after
Grace Mugabe launched a campaign accusing her of plotting to topple the
president.
AFP
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