This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/09/robert-mugabe-sacks-ministers-zimbabwe-joice-mujuru

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Robert Mugabe sacks deputy and seven government ministers Robert Mugabe sacks deputy and seven ministers over ‘plot’ against him
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has dismissed his deputy Joice Mujuru and seven government ministers accused of a plot to unseat the veteran leader, an official statement said on Tuesday. The Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, has dismissed his deputy, Joice Mujuru, and seven government ministers, accusing them of a plot to unseat him.
Chief secretary to the cabinet Misheck Sibanda said in the statement Mujuru had been dismissed because of conflicts of interest and conduct “inconsistent with the expected standard”. Misheck Sibanda, cabinet secretary, said in a statement on Tuesday that Mujuru had been dismissed because of conflicts of interest and conduct “inconsistent with the expected standard”.
State security minister Didymus Mutasa, a long-time Mugabe ally, was among the seven ministers fired. The state security minister, Didymus Mutasa, a long-time Mugabe ally, was among the seven ministers fired.
Mujuru, who was also dismissed as Mugabe’s deputy in the party last week, gave statements to the Tuesday editions of two private daily newspapers dismissing the accusations against her. Mujuru, who was also dismissed as Mugabe’s deputy in the party last week, gave statements to two private daily newspapers dismissing the accusations against her, calling the allegations “ridiculous”.
“The allegations that I, alone, or together with various distinguished comrades have sought to remove His Excellency R G Mugabe from office are ridiculous,” Mujuru said. or together with various distinguished comrades, have sought to remove His Excellency RG Mugabe from office are ridiculous.”
Mujuru, the 59-year-old former guerrilla leader known as “Spill Blood” during the liberation war, was not immediately available to comment on the report of her dismissal. Mujuru, a 59-year-old former guerrilla leader known as Spill Blood during the liberation war, was not immediately available to comment on the report of her dismissal.
Mugabe, 90, and in power since independence from Britain in 1980, has not indicated a preferred political heir, but his advanced age and rumours of ill health have escalated succession fights in the ruling Zanu-PF party. Mugabe, 90, and in power since independence from Britain in 1980, has not indicated a preferred political heir, but his old age and rumours of ill health have escalated succession fights in the ruling Zanu-PF party.
The race has been shaken up in recent weeks by first lady Grace Mugabe, 49, who has emerged as a potential successor. She has also launched withering attacks on Mujuru. The first lady, Grace Mugabe, 49, has emerged as a potential successor. She has also launched withering attacks on Mujuru.
Mujuru’s fall could also clear the path for justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa – a hardline Mugabe loyalist known as “The Crocodile” – to position himself to take over when Africa’s oldest head of state dies or retires. Mujuru’s fall could also clear the path for the justice minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa – a hardline Mugabe loyalist known as The Crocodile – to position himself to take over when Africa’s oldest head of state dies or retires.
The current political infighting comes against a backdrop of slowing economic growth and high unemployment.The current political infighting comes against a backdrop of slowing economic growth and high unemployment.