Harare — Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe signalled a worsening split in his ruling party ahead of elections in 2018 by announcing that he was prepared to fire his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mugabe issued the threat at a rally in Bulawayo on Saturday, a day before his wife, Grace Mugabe, announced she was prepared to succeed the president, who has ruled Zimbabwe since 1980. "If I made a mistake by appointing Mnangagwa, tell me," Mugabe said at the rally, which was broadcast on national television. "I will remove him." Tension in ruling party Zanu (PF) has grown as the nation gears up for elections in 2018 when it may face a seven-party opposition alliance that’s capitalising on public discord over cash shortages, crumbling infrastructure and a collapse in government services. While the ruling party has named 93-year-old Mugabe as its presidential candidate, he’s grown increasingly frail, sparking concern among his supporters that he may be unable to see out another five-year term.<...
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