Zimbabwe:Court dismisses Grace Mugabe's case

A court in Zimbabwe has dropped a criminal charge brought against an MP accused of calling the country’s first lady, Grace Mugabe, a “fool”.

The accused, Justice Wadyajena, of the ruling Zanu-PF party will now be tried on a lesser charge of “disorderly conduct”.

Wadyajenah, 35, appeared in court accused of making “insulting remarks” about President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace, during a verbal exchange with a fellow Zanu-PF party member.

The prosecutor, Listen Nare, told the court that the lawmaker “used abusive or insulting language” against a party member, Jimayi Muduvuri, who had a portrait of Grace Mugabe.

The MP and Muduvuri were both attending the Zanu-PF annual conference on Victoria Falls when the incident occured.

Media reports indicate that the case is seen as part of party wrangling over who should succeed 91-year-old President Robert Mugabe.

However, two camps have emerged , one backing Mrs Mugabe, 50, and the other, Deputy President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 69.

Mr Wadyajena is reported to be loyal to Mr Mnangagwa. He denied the charge, and is out on bail of $800 (£500).