Who will become Zim's crown prince(ss)?

Emmerson Mnangagwa

Mnangagwa is already ahead of the game: all the newly appointed provincial leaders are in his camp. His ultimate goal is to be appointed first vice-president (VP), but if he must settle for second place, the plum post will go to one of his female allies, Edna Madzongwe or Oppah Muchinguri. One of the VP posts is reserved for a woman. Mnangagwa has been a good servant to the president and lost out narrowly as first VP in 2004 - to the now out-of-favour Joice Mujuru.

Joice Mujuru

It's unlikely she'll land the vice-presidency again, but Mugabe doesn't have a history of dumping comrades - he could accommodate her in the presidium on his own terms. In all the noise and fighting, Mujuru has never raised her voice or rebelled against Mugabe. If she does somehow win her old job back, she'll be without allies in key positions and will in effect be powerless.

Gideon Gono

Gono, the former Reserve Bank governor, enjoys a close personal relationship with the president. At one point he was touted as Mugabe's possible successor, but he has no permanent camp. He was rejected by the Mujuru faction and is disliked by the kingmakers in the Mnangagwa camp.

However, with the ear of the first family and Mugabe having new powers to choose his own deputies, the dark horse may surprise.

Phelekezela Mphoko

For most of his political life, Mphoko has been away from home - posted on missions to Botswana, Russia and South Africa. That could be to his advantage. Because he's been away from the factional fights, Mugabe may view him as a moderate.

The second vice- presidency is reserved for former Zapu (pre-unification Zanu-PF) members. Of that group, Mphoko is the most senior.

Oppah Muchinguri

Muchinguri made way for Grace Mugabe to rise to the top by gracefully stepping down as Women's League boss. She has been right alongside Grace Mugabe at her trailblazing rallies and has denigrated Mujuru and her allies.

For this she is probably eyeing a promotion. This could come through replacing Mujuru in the presidium. If she fails to land a senior position within the party or government, then she's out in the cold. This, then, is make or break time.