Gnashing of teeth in Cabinet

Nearly half of Cabinet members are living in suspense, unsure of what the future holds for them, amid indications that President Robert Mugabe, who turns 91 on Saturday, might wield the axe on certain elements he still suspects of working with former VP Joice Mujuru, and her allies.

After the eventful Zanu-PF conference last December, the incumbent swung the axe on his widowed deputy, Mujuru, along with eight ministers including Dydimus Mutasa.

He followed that up with the dismissal of seven more ministers, two weeks later. But even after that, Zanu-PF insiders say the veteran politician is still not happy with the majority of the current serving ministers in terms of their performance.

There are several ministers who are still being said to be sympathetic to Mujuru and are expected to be kicked to the kerb.