Zimbabwe premier fires rival, two other ministers

Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, accusing nationalist Joshua Nkomo of seeking South Africa's help to stage a coup, fired Mr. Nkomo and two of the four ZAPU party ministers from the cabinet.

The decision effectively broke up the Coalition of National Unity, which has ruled Zimbabwe since independence almost two years ago.

Mr. Mugabe told a news conference that Mr. Nkomo had stockpiled weapons at strategic locations in preparation for the alleged coup. There was no immediate comment from Nkomo, often referred to as the father of Zimbabwe nationalism.