Zimbabwe's power struggles in spotlight as vice president barred from ZANU-PF central committee

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Zimbabwe's Vice President Joyce Mujuru was denied a place on the ruling ZANU-PF party's powerful central committee after media reports tied her to a plot to kill President Robert Mugabe.

"We agreed that any member of the party who is accused of assassinating the president -- we are not going to accept his or her CV [curriculum vitae]," acting ZANU-PF Mashonaland Central chairman Wonder Mashange told The Herald.

State-owned media accused Mujuru last week of corruption and treason, allegations she vehemently denied and has directed her attorneys to restore her "political standing."

Mujuru has not yet commented on the decision to bar her from the central committee.

Wednesday's announcement heightened tensions within the ZANU-PF and cast speculation on whether Mujuru, whose aspirations to succeed the 90-year-old Mugabe are well-known, will be able to survive this latest political setback.

It is unclear when Mugabe will step down from the presidency, an office he has held since 1987. Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1980, first serving as Prime Minister. His government has been accused by the United States government of violating rule of law, democracy, and human rights.

Mujuru's bid for increased political influence has pitted her against Mugabe's wife, Grace Mugabe, and Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, her longtime rival.

Mugabe has not yet revealed who he believes should succeed him.