News / National
'Grace Mugabe is just a house wife, a typist,' says Mujuru
23 Feb 2016 at 08:00hrs | Views
In an interview with the UK's Sunday Times newspaper, Joice Mujuru poured cold water on Grace Mugabe's succession chances.
"She's just a housewife, a typist," Mujuru said of the First Lady.
"What does she know; how can she be head of state? Her power only lasts as long as he is there."
Below are the individuals that are touted as the front runners in succeeding Robert Mugabe.
Emmerson Mnangagwa
One of two vice-presidents, Mr Mnangagwa, 69, looks to be in pole position to succeed Mr Mugabe. A veteran of the liberation struggle who has been in cabinet since independence in 1980, his connections to the security services make him feared and unpopular in some quarters. Donors and diplomats seem to have set aside his past as they describe him as a "pragmatist".
Grace Mugabe
The glamorous first lady, 50, made a dramatic entry into politics in 2014 when she embarked on a series of tirades against those alleged to be plotting against her husband. She was subsequently given a position on the party's politburo. Her political machinations are seen as an attempt to protect her family for the time when Mr Mugabe is no longer in power.
Joice Mujuru
Until her dismissal as vice-president during the purge of officials alleged to be plotting against Mr Mugabe, Ms Mujuru was considered a frontrunner in the succession race. Another former liberation fighter, she was seen as a more moderate or pragmatic force in Zanu-PF. Ms Mujuru, 60, has said she will lead the new opposition party, People First.
Morgan Tsvangirai
The president of the Movement for Democratic Change has fought three elections against Mr Mugabe. Aged 63, his willingness to serve in a unity government and his perceived ineffectiveness while in office has damaged his opposition credentials.
"She's just a housewife, a typist," Mujuru said of the First Lady.
"What does she know; how can she be head of state? Her power only lasts as long as he is there."
Below are the individuals that are touted as the front runners in succeeding Robert Mugabe.
Emmerson Mnangagwa
One of two vice-presidents, Mr Mnangagwa, 69, looks to be in pole position to succeed Mr Mugabe. A veteran of the liberation struggle who has been in cabinet since independence in 1980, his connections to the security services make him feared and unpopular in some quarters. Donors and diplomats seem to have set aside his past as they describe him as a "pragmatist".
Grace Mugabe
The glamorous first lady, 50, made a dramatic entry into politics in 2014 when she embarked on a series of tirades against those alleged to be plotting against her husband. She was subsequently given a position on the party's politburo. Her political machinations are seen as an attempt to protect her family for the time when Mr Mugabe is no longer in power.
Joice Mujuru
Until her dismissal as vice-president during the purge of officials alleged to be plotting against Mr Mugabe, Ms Mujuru was considered a frontrunner in the succession race. Another former liberation fighter, she was seen as a more moderate or pragmatic force in Zanu-PF. Ms Mujuru, 60, has said she will lead the new opposition party, People First.
Morgan Tsvangirai
The president of the Movement for Democratic Change has fought three elections against Mr Mugabe. Aged 63, his willingness to serve in a unity government and his perceived ineffectiveness while in office has damaged his opposition credentials.
Source - online
