Zimbabwe 's President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday fired his deputy Joice Mujuru , a few hours after she dismissed allegations that she 'd plotted to assassinate the 90-year-old Zimbabwean leader as `` ridiculous . '' Mugabe also fired eight Cabinet ministers , Zimbabwe 's Chief Secretary to the Cabinet Misheck Sibanda said in a statement . Sibanda said Mugabe had dismissed his vice president `` because her conduct had become inconsistent with her official duties . '' The firing of Mujuru -- long expected to replace Mugabe -- came after she issued a statement dismissing claims by Mugabe that she plotted with the opposition and the West to kill him as not having `` one iota of evidence . '' Of the eight sacked ministers , including a junior minister , Sibanda said : `` It had become apparent that their conduct and performance were below the expected conduct . '' 'Plotting to kill ' The political upheaval erupted last week when Mugabe accused Mujuru of trying to topple him and of being a `` thief '' of minerals . `` Wanting a post should not lead someone into plotting to kill , '' he said in reference to Mujuru , while opening his ruling Zanu PF party 's congress in the capital , Harare . A day earlier , he told his party 's central committee that Mujuru , a Zanu PF member , was working with the West to oust or assassinate him . Mujuru was seen as the likely successor to Mugabe until recently , when first lady Grace Mugabe accused her of being `` too dull '' and `` too corrupt '' to lead . Analysts now say the first lady is being groomed to succeed her husband , the only leader Zimbabweans have known since the country gained independence from Britain in 1980 . On Saturday , she was confirmed as the leader of the powerful women 's wing of Zanu PF . Mugabe : ' I still have the will ' At the same time , Mugabe has ruled out leaving politics , despite his advanced age . `` I still have a bright mind , I still have the will , '' Mugabe said as he officially closed his party 's five-day congress late Saturday , in a speech that lasted about an hour . He said he would announce a new lineup of Zanu PF leaders by this Thursday . `` We will do a reshuffle . There will be disappointments . Those who are not here have said goodbye to us , '' he said , referring to Mujuru and her allies , who have been snubbing most party leadership meetings since the public attacks against her . Under the new constitution of Zanu PF , Mugabe handpicks the entire leadership of his party .
Robert Mugabe fires his deputy , days after accusing her of plotting to kill him . Vice President Joice Mujuru dismisses the allegations against her . Mugabe has also fired eight Cabinet ministers , a government official says . Mujuru was seen as a Mugabe successor , but his wife is now gaining political power .