Grace Mugabe to be stripped of her post
Since taking power, the military has arrested about a dozen senior officials and ministers loyal to Grace Mugabe, 52. She has not been seen since the take[at]over. Sources said she was in her husband’s Harare residence when he was detained and has not left. Zanu-PF branches in all 10 provinces called on Friday for Mugabe to be recalled as first secretary of the party.
The motions also called for Grace Mugabe to be stripped of her post chairing the Zanu-PF women’s league. She is a divisive figure who has outraged many with her extravagance, violent outbursts and political ambitions. Mugabe could theoretically continue as president, even if he were no longer leader of Zanu-PF, but this would be difficult in practice, party insiders said.
Relatives said he and Grace were “ready to die for what is correct” and had no intention of stepping down to legitimise the military coup. [at]Speaking to Reuters from a secret [at]location in South Africa, Patrick Zhuwao, Mugabe’s nephew, said on Saturday that his uncle had hardly slept since the [at]military [at]take[at]over, but his health was [at]otherwise good.
The coup is thought to have been prompted in part by fears among the military and its allies in the ruling party of an imminent purge of Grace Mugabe’s rivals that would have allowed her to exercise greater power. Zimbabweans abroad demonstrated against their president yesterday. Hundreds in Britain gathered outside the embassy in London calling on Mugabe to step aside. Similar rallies were held in South Africa and Namibia.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...dent-clings-on