Grace Mugabe loyalists booted out

First Lady Grace Mugabe's loyalists in Mashonaland were booted out in Zanu PF provincial women's league elections held over the weekend as Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa's camp regained control of the province after most of its executives had been either suspended or fired along factional lines.

Embattled provincial chairwoman Angeline Muchemenyi beat Zvimba district's Mary Phiri to retain her post after having been in an acting capacity and momentarily pushed out.

Two weeks ago, Muchemenyi survived a vote of no-confidence initiated by Grace's ally and women's league national treasurer Sarah Mahoka. Another Grace loyalist, Margaret Chidarikire, lost the league's provincial administration secretary post to Joyce Mukazhi by a wide margin of 26 to 11 votes.