Zimbabwe's First Lady Grace Mugabe has told her husband, President Robert Mugabe to sack the powerful Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the ruling Zanu-PF party ahead of its elective congress next month.

Her comments came a day after a visibly angry President Mugabe, threatened to fire Mr Mnangagwa, fuelling speculation he favours his wife to succeed him, the state-run Herald newspaper.

Addressing members of indigenous church groups at a rally in the capital, Harare, on Sunday, Mrs Mugabe said:

“The snake must be hit on the head. We must deal with the real snake behind the factions and discord in the party. We are going for the congress as a united party."

Mrs Mugabe, the head of the Zanu-PF women's league, and Mr Mnangagwa are seen as the front-runners in the battle to succeed Mr Mugabe when he dies or steps down.