Zimbabwe's axed VP is safe, traveling to South Africa: ally

Reuters
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe looks on as his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa reads a card during Mugabe's 93rd birthday celebrations in Harare, Zimbabwe, February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was fired by President Robert Mugabe this week, is safe and will travel to South Africa "very soon", the head of the war veterans Chris Mutsvangwa said on Wednesday. Mnangagwa's removal on Monday was a boost for Mugabe's wife, Grace, who has been a vocal critic of the former vice president and is seen as a potential successor to her husband. Mutsvangwa, a close ally of Mnangagwa, told reporters in Johannesburg that Grace was behind the purge of Mnangagwa and his allies. (Reporting by Ed Cropley; Writing by Joe Brock; Editing by James Macharia)