Zimbabwe's ruling party, ZANU-PF, has voted to sack the world older ruler President Robert Mugabe as its leader.
Members also voted to name sacked Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who Mugabe fired on November 6th, as new party leader.
"They were determined to fire Mugabe as leader of the party,"
However," Mugabe remains president of the country, amid calls for him to resign following a military takeover on November 15.
In opening remarks at ZANU-PF's Central Committee meeting, Obert Mpofu, the minister of home affairs who chaired the gathering, blamed First Lady Grace Mugabe and her allies for taking advantage of the veteran leader.
"We meet here today with a heavy heart because Mugabe's wife and her close associates have taken advantage of his frail condition and abused the resources of the country," he told members. "I warmly welcome you all to this historic meeting which will mark a new era, not only for our country but for the party."
Earlier on Sunday, the ZANU-PF Youth League, which Grace Mugabe leads, called for her expulsion from ZANU-PF "forever" and demanded the president to resign as leader of the country and party, "
The group also condemned the "unprocedural expulsion" of Mnangagwa, who Mugabe sacked on November 6.
Mugabe has been under military quarantine at his residence since late Wednesday, when the army placed him under house arrest and took over state TV and key government sites.
Mugabe's decision to sack Mnangagwa, who was touted as his most likely successor, spurred an internal power struggle.
First Lady Grace Mugabe was tipped to takeover as second secretary and vice president, prompting a military takeover with the army saying it wanted to "target criminals" around Mugabe who were leading the party and state astray.
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