Robert Mugabe fires vice president seen as likely successor

Zimbabwe's vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa has been fired in a major government shake-up, the country's information minister has said.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has fired a vice president who had previously been seen as a likely successor, removing an obstacle to the presidential ambitions of Mr Mugabe's wife.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa was removed from office today "with immediate effect", the government said, opening the way to the possible appointment of Grace Mugabe to the post.