'Name your successor,' - Zimbabwe's first lady urges Robert Mugabe

Zimbabwe's first lady, Grace Mugabe, has called on her husband, the president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe to name his preferred successor, to end the deepening divisions over the future leadership of the ruling ZANU-PF party. 

Mugabe, 93, Africa's oldest leader, has ruled the southern African country since independence in 1980 but has insisted that ZANU-PF, not himself, will choose his eventual successor. 

Grace Mugabe, 52 who is considered by some to be a possible future leader, at a meeting of ZANU-PF's women's wing in the capital Harare, on Thursday - contradicted her husband, who was also at the meeting, saying he should name a successor. 

Grace, who has become a power broker in ZANU-PF since her elevation to the position of the party's secretary for women’s affairs in 2014, said Mugabe's word was "final."

According to her there is nothing wrong with Mugabe naming his successor, saying the move will enable all members to rally behind one candidate” before adding that this has been the trend in other countries.

There is no succession which will take place without the involvement of Mugabe. I know the president says: 'No, no, I don't want to impose a candidate.' But I have always argued with him that you have a role, you have the right to be part of that process, Grace.

Because we respect him, his word will be final. Mark my words, his word will be final. I am asking him right now in your presence ... don't be afraid, tell us which candidate we should back," Grace said, speaking in Shona.

Mugabe did not respond to his wife's comments but earlier addressed the meeting, where he repeated accusations he made in December 2015 that some in the military leadership were caught up in the succession fight.

Now you hear some of them (in the military) saying the president should leave. Leave in favor of whom? Who is that someone who has a right to succeed? said Mugabe.

Mugabe will stand for re-election in 2018 as the country is expected to hold elections anytime between March and June next year.