Mujuru to face Mugabe in 2018

FORMER Vice-President Joice Mujuru has made up her mind to challenge President Robert Mugabe in the 2018 presidential elections, one of her most vocal backers has said.

Former State Security minister and Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa - who was expelled from his government and party posts together with Mujuru - told Reuters news agency yesterday that the former Vice-President would run for the top office.

"She has gone beyond thinking about it. She will contest and I am confident she will be the first female President of Zimbabwe," Mutasa told Reuters.

On Monday, Mujuru apologised to Zimbabweans for her role in Mugabe's government, in a move seen by allies as a step towards challenging him for power.

Mujuru issued a public statement on Monday, taking blame for Zanu PF's failure to deliver on promises to Zimbabweans and said her dismissal was inevitable because her vision diverged from that of Mugabe and the Zanu PF leadership.