Zimbabwe's expelled Zanu-PF members to challenge Mugabe
Harare, 8 Apr - (ANA) - An expelled member of Zimbabwe's ruling party says a new party will be formed to challenge President Robert Mugabe. Didymus Mutasa said the new party would also be called Zanu but the initials PF would stand for "People First" not "Patriotic Front". Zanu-PF expelled Mr Mutasa and other senior members after accusing them of plotting to oust Mr Mugabe last year. They denied the claim. Mr Mugabe, 91, is due to run for re-election in 2018. He has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. Correspondents say Mugabe's sacked deputy, Joice Mujuru, is tipped to lead the new party, following the biggest split in Zanu-PF in the post-independence era. Joice Mujuru and President Mugabe were once close allies. The likes of Ms Mujuru and Mr Mutasa were veterans of the guerrilla war against white minority rule, and commanded a huge following in Zanu-PF. Analysts say the new party could take support away from Mugabe in the next election. (ANA)

FA/ANA/8 April 2015-------------