Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is expected to give a key note address as a conference by the ruling Zanu-PF enters its second and final day in the town of Bindura.

Mugabe, who on Friday was in a defiant mood, is likely to repeat vitriolic attacks on the West.

This year's annual conference is low key as it takes place when Zimbabwe is facing its worst economic and humanitarian crisis with an acute shortages of most essentials in the country such as medical drugs, fuel, electricity and food.

A cholera endemic has claimed more than 1000 lives and affected more than 20,000 people as the country battles to import adequate water treating chemicals.

Mugabe's speech Saturday is expected to give insight into the future of the power-sharing deal he signed with Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) in September.

The agreement is on the verge of collapse as Mugabe and other senior Zanu-PF speakers on Friday attacked Tsvangirai. Mugabe accused Tsvangirai of being a "puppet" and of delaying taking up the post of prime minister. Under the September deal, Tsvangirai will be the prime minister while Mugabe retains the presidency.

Mugabe said the West had asked Tsvangirai to wait as Zimbabwe would collapse, while Zanu-PF "vanishes."

"If they want to wait they can wait. That day will never come," said Mugabe. Starting his speech Mugabe said: "Down with the MDC."

Friday Mugabe said Britain was responsible for the crisis Zimbabwe was facing.