President Robert Mugabe’s downfall was caused by the ambitions of his combative wife Grace, whose emergence as his likely successor proved a step too far for Zimbabwe’s military, analysts say. Grace Mugabe -- 41 years younger than her husband -- was once dismissed as a lightweight shopping addict. The military -- determined to stop Grace, 52, being named as the new vice president -- moved in on Wednesday, taking control of the country and signalling the imminent end of Mugabe’s rule. “They had to act now before Grace was appointed as vice president at the ZANU-PF party congress next month. Grace Mugabe’s confrontational approach and distant public image have brought her little popular affection in Zimbabwe.

Source: Hindustan Times November 17, 2017 04:30 UTC