Zimbabwean Vice President Simon Muzenda, a close ally of Robert Mugabe, has died in hospital after a long illness.
Mr Mugabe announced the news of Mr Muzenda's death in a live broadcast on state television.
Mr Muzenda, a founding member of Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, played a significant role in Zimbabwe's war for independence from Britain in the 1970s.
Local media had reported in recent months that Mr Muzenda was ill, but the Zimbabwean state newspaper had dismissed reports that his condition was critical. He would have turned 81 next month.
Mr Muzenda had backed Mr Mugabe's controversial land redistribution programme and said he delayed planned retirement to see the first phase of the programme through to a successful conclusion.
He had been one of the country's two vice presidents since 1987 when Zimbabwe adopted the executive presidency.
His death is expected to spark fierce speculation over who will take his place, as his successor may well go on to succeed Mr Mugabe as president.
