HARARE - President Robert MugabeThe Zimbabwean president was seen taking off from the Livingstone International Airport with 59 hangers-on at 9pm on Thursday, including at least six medical personnel.
Also on the Air Zimbabwe plane which only took off from Harare after assuring striking Air Zimbabwe pilots they would get their allowances – was Finance minister Tendai Biti.
In Livingstone, Mugabe made use of a golf cart to traverse the ubiquitous Zambezi Sun Hotel during the duration of the Troika summit, underlining the 87-year-old President’s waning health.
He struggles to walk now and sources say he could soon need a walking stick. A senior government source said in the entourage included Munhumutapa Building political aides, national security personnel and specialists from other government departments.
Zim1, as he is known in Secret Service circles, had at least two dozen agents in Livingstone, according to a mid-level intelligence source. His wife Grace did not attend.
Dhewa Mavhinga, the Regional Information and Advocacy Coordinator for pressure group Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, who was lobbying for political reforms in Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the Troika meeting in Livingstone, said Mugabe’s security paranoia had gone overboard.
“I was taken aback when I saw President Mugabe leave for Harare immediately after the summit ended at 9pm, with his entourage of 59 people, including at least six medical personnel,” Mavhinga said.
Post published in: News