Robert Mugabe is SACKED by his party and replaced by his vice'The Crocodile': after going on hunger strike and vowing to die for 'what is correct'

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe (top right) has been formally dismissed as the leader of the country's ruling party, Zanu-PF (left, members celebrating the news today), and replaced by the vice president he previously sacked, Emmerson 'Crocodile' Mnangagwa (bottom right). It followed all ten Zimbabwean provinces passing no-confidence motions against the dictator on Friday. Although Mr Mugabe technically remains president, the fact that he no longer leads his party means that the end is almost certainly in sight for his 37-year reign. The development placed Mr Mnangagwa within touching distance of the presidency, delayed only by Mr Mugabe's continued refusal to step down. There is widespread speculation that Mr Mugabe will officially resign late on Sunday after a crunch meeting with the head of Zimbabwe's armed forces. He has so far given little sign of capitulating, however, instead resisting the massive pressure from all sides by staging a hunger strike, making threats and refusing to speak at his Blue Roof home. The dictator's hated wife, 'Gucci' Grace, has also been expelled from her role as head of the Zanu-PF Women's League 'forever'.

Mugabe's hated wife, 'Gucci' Grace (pictured), has also been expelled from her role as head of the Zanu-PF Women's League 'forever'

Leader of Zimbabwe's war veterans association Christopher Mutsvangwa (center) reacts during the Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front) Central Committee meeting to recall Zimbabwe's presidentat Reboert Mugabe the party's headquarters in Harare

Zimbabwean War Veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa (center) greets other delegates ahead of Zanu-PF meeting to dismiss Mugabe from his role as party leader

Delegates raise their fists as they replace Mugabe with Emmerson 'Crocodile' Mnangagwa as leader of the Zanu-PF ruling party