Tribal twist to Zanu-PF succession battle

The death of VP John Nkomo coupled with  clause in the proposed new constitution empowering the sitting president's party to choose a successor in the event of the incumbent being incapacitated or dying in office, has complicated Zanu-PF's succession battles amid reports bigwigs were positioning themselves for the party chairmanship.

Sources said with the running mate clause being shelved, succeeding President Mugabe would boil down to the most popular candidate in the provinces, thereby giving Defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa a lifeline after seemingly being elbowed out by the clause.