Zimbabwe: Mugabe Dismisses Reports His Health is Failing
By Eric sande
HARARE---Raging speculation that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s health could be deteriorating further has hit the headlines in the official newsletter of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC). The paper indicates that aides to President Jacob Zuma who have been facilitating talks in Harare are worried about the consequences if Mr. Mugabe should die or step down before the country has put a new constitution and democratic reforms in place.
Mugabe, 87, has since dismissed the reports, saying he is in good shape and exercises regularly to keep fit, adding in an interview with a Zimbabwean-Namibian state media publication that he hopes to live to 100.
He says he became a fitness enthusiast during his 11 year long detention for his role in Zimbabwe’s liberation war. “For now, I’m as good as my age says I must be,” he told The Southern Times newspaper, jointly owned by the Zimbabwean and Namibian governments.
“I am not old, I am 87 but my body says the counting doesn’t end at 87, at least you must get to a 100.”
Diplomats who have interacted with President Mugabe have said that he looks sharp and fit for someone his age.
The veteran leader has travelled to Singapore five times since December sparking rumours that he suffers from a serious ailment. Reports said he is under treatment for prostate cancer. But a spokesman said he only underwent surgery for an eye cataract.
He has been in power for 2 decades since 1980, and currently locked in a power-share government with his former rival, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
The 2008 deal brokered by regional leaders included requirements for a new constitution and amended media and election laws before new polls are held.
But public consultations on a new constitution have been repeatedly postponed after outbreaks of violence, mainly blamed on the supporters of Mugabe's ZANU-PF.
Since its formation, the unity government has been marred by disagreements and boycotts, with Mugabe last year suggesting that elections be held to dissolve the deal.
Spokesman Methuseli Moyo of the revived Zimbabwe African People's Union or ZAPU party told VOA Studio 7 reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that whether Mr. Mugabe is in good health or bad, his age renders him unfit for high public office.
Commenting on prospects for elections, Mr. Mugabe insisted that if a new constitution is adopted this year, that will clear the way for a ballot by year's end.
His Zanu PF party has already nominated him to be the party’s presidential candidate where his main challenger will be the 59 year-old Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. The party has been pushing for a poll as early as possible, which observers have said is linked to Mugabe’s obviously failing health. The party has also been at pains to deny any reports that he is unwell, insisting that his foreign travels are related to his eye problem and nothing more serious.