Zimbabwe's vice president has been ousted from the ruling party's leadership after a sustained campaign led by Robert Mugabe's wife, Grace, as the battle to succeed the long-serving president heats up.

Joice Mujuru came under attack after Grace Mugabe claimed the vice president was extorting money from companies and fomenting factionalism which is threatening to tear the ruling ZANU-PF party apart.

She has also been accused of plotting to assassinate the president, as factions within the party jostle for power when 90-year-old Mugabe steps down or dies.