Zimbabwe ruling party sacks Mugabe, gives him deadline

Zimbabwe's ruling party has sacked president Robert Mugabe as its leader, and replace d him with his former deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, known as the crocodile, and has until Monday to resign as president or face impeachment as pressure intensifies for him to step down.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, was fired by Mr Mugabe two weeks ago.

ZANU PF’s Patrick Chinamasa told a news conference Mugabe should resign immediately as President of Zimbabwe.

Chinamasa, one of Mnangagwa's key allies said if Mugabe does not resign by 10am GMT on Monday, impeachment proceedings will start.

He added Grace Mugabe has been dismissed for promoting hate speech and divisiveness.

The party gave Mugabe, 93, until 10:00 GMT on Monday to resign as president, or face impeachment.

The military intervened last week, and then kept him under house arrest, a move which was taken to reportedly block him from installing his wife as his successor.

The party also expelled the first lady, Grace Mugabe.

Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans attended street protests on Saturday, demonstrating against the Mugabes.

Mnangagwa will be nominated as ZANU-PF’s candidate for new president of Zimbabwe.

Chinamasa said Zanu-PF wants to amend the constitution to remove “notion of one centre of power”.

A Zanu-PF delegate said Grace Mugabe and “a number of others” are to be prosecuted. Cabinet ministers Kasukuwere, Moyo and ZANU-PF vice-president Mphoko are among those facing legal action.

Party delegates said vice-president Mphoko has been fired too.