Checkmate Mujuru

The state media loyal to first lady Grace Mugabe declared that Vice President Joice Mujuru's faction of the ruling Zanu-PF has been "checkmated" as a party congress began on Thursday.

In its leader comment, the official Herald newspaper praised what it called the "unmasking of vultures" and accused Mujuru of being a front for agents of regime change in Zimbabwe.

The paper is controlled by a faction of Zanu-PF led by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa. He has supported Grace Mugabe's vitriolic attacks on Mujuru, who is widely expected to be demoted at this event.

Mujuru and several of her ministerial allies have already been ousted from Zanu-PF's powerful central committee in a purge that would have been unthinkable earlier this year. Another ally, former party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo, was expelled from Zanu-PF late on Wednesday.

"Thankfully this group has been checkmated," said the Herald.

"But we must remain vigilant against any other wolves in sheep's clothing who may still be lurking within the corridors of power."

President Robert Mugabe was due to open the party congress on Thursday morning.