Cyanide attack on Mnangagwa

Cyanide was sprayed into the new Zimbabwean Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa's office on Wednesday in an attempt on his life, ZBC radio reported.

Mnangagwa's secretary "was badly affected by the attempted poisoning and was taken to hospital for attention", the radio quoted President Robert Mugabe as saying.

The secretary was reportedly the first to enter Mnangagwa's office on Wednesday morning.

There were no other details.

Mnangagwa was named first Vice President on Wednesday afternoon. Former ambassador to South Africa Phelekezela Mphoko was named as second Vice President.

The appointments came a day after Vice president Joice Mujuru was sacked for allegedly plotting to oust the 90-year-old leader.