Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is going to set up a commission to investigate allegations of factionalism threatening to tear apart his ruling Zanu-PF party, a senior official said Thursday.

Addressing journalists after the party's politburo meeting, party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo could not be drawn into revealing more about members who will comprise the commission or when it will be formed.

"We had a long discussion on the report by secretary for women affairs. We discussed and debated what was in the report and issues relating to factionalism.

The president was candid enough, frank enough to tell us the factions that he has been advised are existing and accordingly he will set up a commission to look at the allegations of these factions," Gumbo said.

Internal fighting has intensified in Zanu-PF, with two faction leaders allegedly vying to succeed the ageing Mugabe who has since declared that it was not yet time for him to retire.

Gumbo said Mugabe directly mentioned Vice President Joice Mujuru and Emmerson Mnangagwa as the two faction leaders during the meeting which was preceded by demonstrations by party supporters against Mujuru.

Mugabe's wife, Grace, who is the incoming secretary for women's affairs recently toured the nation addressing rallies during which she attacked Mujuru and accused her of corruption and trying to topple Mugabe from power.

Mujuru has denied allegations of trying to unseat Mugabe.

Grace was recently appointed by Zanu-PF supporters to lead the party's women's wing and she is set to be appointed to the post by Mugabe at the December elective congress.

As the infighting intensifies in the party, Gumbo said the politburo meeting also resolved to ban divisive slogans attacking perceived faction leaders and their supporters.

The party's congress will be held in Harare from Dec. 2 to 7.