Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF has expelled former finance minister Simba Makoni for challenging President Robert Mugabe in the general election, a party official confirmed today.
"It was decided to make the expulsion of Simba Makoni clear. There has been a lot [of] confusion on the expulsion of Simba Makoni in the minds of the ordinary people of Zimbabwe," a Zanu-PF spokesman said.
"The rules are very clear that anyone who tries to challenge an elected candidate of the party stands expelled."
Mr Makoni's status within the Zanu-PF has been unclear since last week when another spokesman said the challenger had effectively "expelled himself" from the Mugabe-led party.
It is expected that Mr Makoni, who claims to have the support of some senior Zanu-PF officials, will campaign as an independent against Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980 and is running for another five-year term.
Veterans of the country's liberation war have branded Makoni a traitor for challenging the 83-year-old president.