'Grace will not succeed me': Mugabe

Speaking at a Zanu-PF Youth Interface Rally held in Mashonaland Central on Saturday, President Robert Mugabe said he will not name a successor but one will be chosen by the party during congress. He also said that he will not leave the presidency to first lady Grace Mugabe.

Said Mugabe:

I will never name a successor, a leader is chosen by the people at the congress. Kuti ndonzi ndasiyira mukadzi wangu chigaro ini? Ah, zvinoitika kunedzimwe nyika, kwete muno muZimbabwe. (Will I leave the presidency to my wife? No, that only happens in other countries not in Zimbabwe.)

In July this year Grace called on her husband to name his successor. The first lady said that this was happening in other countries and that naming his successor will allow all members of the ruling party to rally behind a single candidate.