Mujuru takes over as Mugabe goes on leave

President Robert Mugabe left Harare for the Far East on Saturday where he will spend part of his annual break. It is expected he will spend some time in Singapore where his doctor is based and undergo routine medical checks. 

Mugabe (89) left together with the First Family marking the start of his annual holiday. In a statement yesterday, presidential spokesperson George Charamba said the President is expected back in the country mid January.

Vice President Joice Mujuru is the Acting President.

Mugabe is a frequent Far Eastern visitor and spends much of his time travelling back and forth for medical care.

Although ZANU PF continuously dismisses any reports that their ageing leader has serious health problems, there is widespread speculation that the care he is receiving is ‘specialist’ and related to prostate cancer.

According to a leaked 2008 US diplomatic cable, then central bank chief Gideon Gono told then-US ambassador James McGee that Mugabe had prostate cancer and had been advised by doctors he had less than five years to live.