By Patricia Mpofu

HARARE – The Zimbabwean government last night rejected as “false and malicious” media reports that Vice-President Joice Mujuru had resigned. 

In its lead story yesterday, the United Kingdom-based The Zimbabwean newspaper said Mujuru tendered her resignation letter to President Robert Mugabe about two weeks ago. 

The newspaper said Mugabe had however turned down Mujur’s resignation. 

Mujuru, who was until last month considered among the front-runners to succeed Mugabe, is said to have fallen out with the veteran President following Mugabe’s statement that he would seek re-election next year. 

At a hastily arranged Press conference last night, Zimbabwe’s Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu categorically denied that Mujuru had resigned saying the newspaper reports were a complete fabrication. 

“It is not only malicious and hurtful to the honourable Vice-President Mujuru but is a complete falsehood which is the work of our political enemies who dream for such a development to happen," said Ndlovu. 

Relations between Mugabe and Mujuru are said to be strained after the President publicly attacked his vice-president in a television interview on the succession issue on  the eve of his birthday last February. 

A faction of the ruling ZANU PF party led by former army commander Solomon Mujuru, Joice’s husband, is also said to be at the forefront in efforts to scuttle plans by Mugabe to stand in next year’s election. - ZimOnline