Fear of coup forces Robert Mugabe’s hand, plans cabinet changes

Africa’s longest serving leader Robert Mugabe is planning changes to his cabinet as early as next week after his wife warned of a possible coup as tension rises in Zimbabwe over his possible successor.

“Next week there might be some changes in government. I Should we remain with the same team or we make changes or even discard some. So that exercise I will be doing it and early next week you will get the results,” Mugabe told a meeting of his ZANU-PF youth wing.

Grace Mugabe had earlier raised an alarm over a possible coup with allies of Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa threatening the lives of those who don’t support him to replace her husband.

Read also: ZIMBABWE: Grace Mugabe warns of likely coup amid growing tension for her husband’s successor

Reports say Grace Mugabe departed from a prepared speech at an event in Harare to attack Mr Mnangagwa.

“We are being threatened night and day that if a particular person does not become president we will be killed,” she said.

“We will not bow to that pressure. They say there will be a coup, but no-one will recognise you. The African Union will not recognise you, the SADC [Southern African Development Community] will not.”

Mrs Mugabe herself and Mr Mnangagwa are the front-runners and their rivalry has split the governing Zanu-PF amid growing tensions in the fight to succeed her husband.

 

 

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