I’m very healthy – Grace Mugabe

By Never Kadungure

HARARE – First Lady Grace Mugabe has tried to downplay reports that she is not in good health and is regularly slipping out of the country to seek further treatment in Dubai, where her son Robert Junior attends university.

In her welcome address to the Zanu-PF Women’s League national executive at the party’s headquarters in Harare, Grace Mugabe claimed that she was as fit as a fiddle and occasionally sought medical treatment like any other person.

“I’m happy we’re meeting while we’re all in good health. I’m very healthy. I still have the same energy as I had last year (when she held her countrywide rallies).

“At times I have pain here and there but it can be treated, that’s why I sometimes go for treatment and come back fully recovered.

“That’s why we thank God because at times you become ill and you don’t know what it is and you end up with much bigger problems, but when you know and you’re treated you become well and continue working for the country,” she said.

Upon her return from an extended stay in Singapore early this year, the First Lady claimed she only had an operation to remove a nagging appendix, but close family sources say she is suffering from colon cancer.

The sources claim about 30cm of her colon (large intestine) affected by cancer was removed during the operation. President Mugabe similarly is said to be battling prostrate cancer but continues to insist he travels for “eye check ups” in Singapore.