ZIMBABWE: ‘Name your successor,’ wife challenges ageing Mugabe

Zimbabwe’s first lady, Grace Mugabe, challenged her president husband Robert on Friday to name his preferred successor, to end divisions over the future leadership of the ruling ZANU-PF party. Africa’s oldest leader, Robert Mugabe, 93, has ruled the former British colony since independence in 1980 but has insisted that ZANU-PF, not himself, will choose his […]

Zimbabwe’s first lady, Grace Mugabe, challenged her president husband Robert on Friday to name his preferred successor, to end divisions over the future leadership of the ruling ZANU-PF party.

Africa’s oldest leader, Robert Mugabe, 93, has ruled the former British colony since independence in 1980 but has insisted that ZANU-PF, not himself, will choose his eventual successor.

But at a meeting of ZANU-PF’s women’s wing in the capital Harare, Grace Mugabe – herself considered by some to be a possible future leader – contradicted her husband, who also attended the meeting, saying he should name a successor.

Grace, 52 said Mugabe’s word was “final”.

“There is no succession which will take place without the involvement of Mugabe,” Grace said at the meeting attended by reporters.

Mugabe did not respond to his wife’s comments but earlier addressed the meeting.