'I am a victim of smear campaigns,' says Grace Mugabe

First Lady Grace Mugabe has revealed that Zanu-PF bigwigs angling to succeed President Robert Mugabe had embarked on a smear campaign targeting her out of fear that she harboured ambitions to take over power from her 91-year-old husband.

In a wide-ranging interview with the State media during her lavish 50th birthday celebrations at her expansive Borrowdale home in Harare on Saturday, Grace conceded that Zanu-PF had been rocked by power struggles centered on succession.

She said some of the smear campaigns were being channeled through the media.

Grace Mugabe says she harbours no Presidential ambitions stating that her plate is full with her charity work, private business and role as Zanu-PF Women's League boss.

Amai Mugabe also said disgraced former Vice-President Joice Mujuru was the architect of her own demise by being over ambitious, impatient and surrounding herself with poor advisors. She said she has never in any way, in any place, at any time would want to be the President of this country.

On related claims that she wanted a Cabinet post, the First Lady responded: "I have said no because I have so much already on my plate. I don't want to take up that position. I personally feel I have a lot of work to do as First Lady."