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                    Mugabe Deputy John Nkomo Dies of Cancer

   by  Reuters

   Zimbabwean Vice President John Nkomo died on Thursday after treatment
   for cancer in South Africa, President Robert Mugabe said, removing a
   potential successor to the aging leader who has his own health
   problems.

   Nkomo, 78, was nominated for the joint number two position alongside
   Joice Mujuru two years ago after a fractious meeting of the southern
   African nation's ruling ZANU-PF party.

   "We've lost our vice president John Landa Nkomo. He was suffering for a
   long time with cancer. All of a sudden now we heard his situation had
   become worse ... deteriorated from yesterday," a somber Mugabe told
   reporters at his official residence.

   A founding member of nationalist leader Joshua Nkomo's ZAPU before its
   merger with Mugabe's ZANU-PF in the 1980s, Nkomo was seen by many as an
   efficient administrator but an unlikely potential successor to Mugabe
   due to his age and ill health.

   Analysts say his death will rekindle debate over 88-year-old Mugabe's
   health issues and open up a succession battle as the country's shaky
   coalition government edges towards a general election due this year.

   Mugabe vowed in December to fight like a "wounded beast" to retain
   power amid grumbling within his party that he should hand over the
   reins to a younger leader. He is Africa's oldest head of state and has
   ruled the former British colony since independence in 1980.

   There has been widespread speculation about his health but Mugabe and
   the government have denied reports he has been receiving treatment for
   prostate cancer in Singapore over the last two years.

   Official media were silent on Nkomo's death but the U.S. embassy
   released a statement offering its condolences at the passing of "a
   patriot who dedicated his life to Zimbabwe's sovereignty and
   prosperity."

   Mugabe and ZANU-PF are struggling to shore up support among young
   voters, who care more about the economy than the party's role in
   leading the 1970s liberation struggle against white-minority rule.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/zimbabwe-mugabe-deputy-zanu-pf-vp-nko
   mo-dies-cancer/1585992.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/zimbabwe-mugabe-deputy-zanu-pf-vp-nkomo-dies-cancer/1585992.html