Zimbabwe’s president said he fired deputy over plot to take power

Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe says he fired his longtime ally and deputy for planning to overthrow him including by consulting witch doctors.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had been seen as Mugabe’s potential successor was dismissed by the president on Tuesday.

Speaking publicly for the first time on Wednesday since the sacking, Mugabe, 93 said Mnangagwa was kicked out for using witchcraft to take power like his predecessor.

We have kicked him out for the same reasons," Mugabe said of Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa replaced Joice Mujuru in 2014, who had been ousted and accused by Mugabe of using witchcraft to take power.

According to report, Mugabe’s wife Grace Mugabe appears poised for the role and has been endorsed by ruling party organs to take over from Mnangagwa as vice president, which puts her in prime position to succeed her husband..