Grace Mugabe backtracks

First Lady Grace Mugabe has backtracked from claims that seemed to insinuate that Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa was angling for her husband's position, an indication she may have touched a raw nerve within the ruling Zanu-PF.

Instead, Grace seemed to exonerate Mnangagwa and his counterpart Phelekezela Mphoko from claims of backbiting, with analysts saying the First Lady may have been literally forced to eat her words.

Ibbo Mandaza, a political analyst, said Grace could have now realised that her statements in Binga claiming Mnangagwa was eyeing the Presidency could have destabilised the system, resulting in her backtracking.

While Grace said she was not eyeing the presidency, Mandaza said she was powerful and was acting as the President, making it likely that she was not sincere when she said she did not harbour any Presidential ambitions.