'No vacancy,' says Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe has effectively ruled out anointing a successor, saying he would remain in contention for the 2018 general elections and lead his ruling Zanu-PF party into the 2019 elective congress.

Mugabe (92), in a delayed traditional interview with State media normally broadcast on the eve of his birthday, also scoffed at suggestions he wanted to pass the baton to his sharp-tongued wife First Lady Grace.

Mugabe indicated he was aware of their schemes to use her just to get to power and later dump her.