Could Grace Mugabe succeed her husband as president?
Opposition leader claims Zimbabwe's First Lady is ‘effectively in charge’
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has been replaced by his wife, Grace Mugabe, according to the country's main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai told local media that the 91-year-old president's wife was now "effectively in charge" following months of uncertainty within the ruling party.
Calling it a "palace coup", Tsvangirai is reported by South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper as saying, "No one in government is thinking of solutions to the national challenges as everyone is preoccupied with issues of who will succeed this tired man steering the ship of state".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the last 18 months, Grace Mugabe has taken an increasingly prominent role in Zimbabwe's politics, spearheading the fight to get Joice Mujuru removed from her position as vice-president last year. She has also garnered the support of younger members of the party – dubbed the G-40 – but remains poorly thought of amongst the wider public.
Local media have reported two competing camps within the ruling party forming around army chief Emmerson Mnangagwa and Mrs Mugabe, despite president Mugabe's warnings that the jockeying for power "threatens to split the party".
Amid this battle, Tsvangirai's claim that Grace Mugabe had "surreptitiously but willingly" assumed power appears to be a move designed to take advantage of the current rifts and garner support for his opposition party.
The Guardian claims that Mrs Mugabe's "recent aggressive statements against those she deems insufficiently loyal to her husband" have come when Mr Mugabe is looking “increasingly frail”.
"The famously austere Mugabe," the paper adds, "has long been in robust physical and mental condition, but several mishaps in recent months have sent tongues wagging".
President Mugabe, who turns 92 in two months' time, has been in power since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. Up until now he has appeared to be in relatively good health, although he stumbled twice in public this year and read the wrong speech at the state opening of parliament earlier this year without realising his error.
Morgan Tsvangirai lost to him in presidential elections in 2002, 2008 and 2013. The opposition leader has repeatedly claimed Mugabe rigged and intimidated his way to victory.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger celebrates 'unique collaboration'
The Week Recommends Martin Scorsese presents documentary tribute to the 'gorgeous, radical work' of the film-making duo
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
In what countries is assisted dying legal or in consideration for being made legal?
In the spotlight More countries are granting more people the right to die
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
5 captivating books to read in May
the week recommends Brittney Griner tells her own story, a coming-of-middle-age novel and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published