Harare - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe named his two vice presidents and a new politburo on Wednesday.
Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa was named first vice president and former ambassador to South Africa, Phelekezela Mphoko, second vice president.
The appointments came a day after Mugabe fired his vice president Joice Mujuru over allegations that she had plotted to oust him.
Many of her ministerial allies have been dropped from the cabinet as well as Zanu-PF's central committee and politburo.
The appointment of two men to the position of vice president will raise some eyebrows as it has been an unwritten requirement since Mujuru was appointed in 2004 that one post of deputy had to be held by a woman.
Former head of the women's league, Oppah Muchinguri, was named Zanu-PF's secretary for transport.
Mugabe named his wife Grace, who has just taken over from Muchinguri, as head of the women's league, to his politburo.
Mugabe, 90, joked that the two vice presidents had no real “big functions”.
Mnangagwa, however, now stands in prime position to succeed the president should he die or step down before the end of his term.
The pair will be sworn in on Friday.
Mphoko, 74, has not had a high profile position in Zanu-PF until now. He has spent several years in diplomatic service and is reported to have held a senior position in Zapu Ä Zanu-PF's allies in the 1970s independence war against white minority rule.
Mnangagwa, 68, has served as justice minister in Mugabe's cabinet since the president's re-election in July 2013.
Sapa