Grace Mugabe's face on campaign posters raises eyebrows

Zanu-PF campaign posters bearing President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace's portraits on either side have raised eyebrows among political observers who said the move was meant to confirm the First Lady's new status as the ruling party's new centre of power.

According to the Newsday, the posters were printed and distributed in Hwedza constituency by one of the party's aspiring parliamentary candidates, Aplonia Chard Munzverengwi, ahead of Zanu-PF primary elections scheduled for today.

Pictures of Munzverengwi's campaign posters have been circulating on social media platforms since Monday, fuelling heated debate over Grace's new-found role in Zanu-PF politics.

Normally, party candidates only include their own picture, party symbol and Mugabe's picture on the campaign posters.

Although Mugabe has publicly dismissed claims that his wife was angling to succeed him, observers said the use of her pictures on the party's campaign material served as confirmation that she was now a major player in the party.

Grace, who is now secretary of the Women's League, last year said no one could stop her from setting her sights on the Presidency.

At her maiden politburo appearance last month, Grace sent tongues wagging when she, in an unprecedented move, took a front seat among members of the presidium.