Grace Mugabe calls for Mujuru ouster

First Lady Grace Mugabe yesterday pushed for the ouster of Vice-President Joice Mujuru, saying President Robert Mugabe should appoint a deputy who works with him not one who does nothing.

This open warfare occurred as Zanu-PF heads to its explosive elective December congress. Mujuru is the only Vice- President since the death of John Nkomo two years ago.

Addressing about 6 000 supporters at Phelandaba stadium in Gwada yesterday, Grace, without mentioning Mujuru by name, said there was no one in Zanu-PF permanently guaranteed of a post in the ruling party.

Meanwhile, Dr Mugabe yesterday also castigated senior Zanu-PF officials stampeding for the party's Vice Presidency, warning that their manoeuvres could be an exercise in futility as President Mugabe is empowered by the party's constitution to appoint people of his choice.

Speaking at a rally in Gwanda on the sixth leg of her "Meet the People tour," Dr Mugabe said she was disappointed with leaders who were declaring their interest in the top job through the media.

She said some party members wanted the President to step down, even before his time is up, saying they were driven by "supersonic" ambition.

She said you can declare your interest in this or that post, but God has a list of who will replace Mugabe and who will become the next Vice President, not this thing of sending names to newspapers, giving them a hundred names.

Don't we know the code of conduct? Grace said some leaders, she told cheering supporters, were used to riding on President Mugabe's back and not working for the country.