File photo shows Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses a youth interface rally in Gweru, Zimbabwe, Sept. 1, 2017. (Xinhua/Stringer)

HARARE, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Monday fired his deputy, vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, citing disloyalty and failure to discharge his duties in a reliable manner.

The dismissal was with immediate effect, Information Minister Simon Khaya Moyo told a press conference in the capital.

"In accordance with the constitution of Zimbabwe... His Excellency President Robert Mugabe has exercised his powers to relieve Honorable Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa of his position as Vice President of Zimbabwe with immediate effect.

File photo shows Zimbabwean Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa delivers a speech for the opening of the third session of the Parliament of Zimbabwe at parliament building in Harare, Zimbabwe, Sept. 16, 2015. (Xinhua/Stringer)

"It had been evident that his conduct in the discharge of his duties has been inconsistent with his official responsibilities. The VP has consistently and persistently exhibited traits of disloyalty, disrespect, deceitfulness and unreliability. He has also demonstrated little probity in the execution of his duties," Moyo said.

Mugabe appointed Mnangagwa as his deputy in 2014 after firing former vice president Joice Mujuru on allegations of fanning factionalism and trying to topple him.

Mnangagwa, 74, was widely speculated to be Mugabe's possible successor.

Over the weekend, a fuming Mugabe accused Mnangagwa of causing divisions in the ruling ZANU-PF party and working to topple him.

Mnangagwa is also Mugabe's deputy in ZANU-PF. His fate in the party has not yet been announced.