Old age a liability: analysts

President Robert Mugabe’s old age has rendered the Zanu (PF) presidential candidate a liability to both the nation and his party, say analysts.

Mugabe, born in 1924, will go down in history as one of the oldest and longest serving statesmen. Other presidential pensioners include Shimon Perez (1923), the current head of state in Israel and the late Kamuzu Hastings Banda of Malawi (1906).

If elected into power for another five-year term, Mugabe will be the oldest ruler Africa has had under a constitutional republic.

And old age seems to be taking its toll. At a recent Zanu (PF) Chinhoyi rally, Mugabe mistakenly blasted the African Union, when he intended to take a swipe at the European Union.

On July 5, at the launch of the Zanu (PF) manifesto in Highfield, Mugabe mentioned MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai as one of the founders of Zanu (PF).

“Memory lapses and insults have been typical of the rantings of an old man and this is one of the highest prices Zimbabwe is paying for having a 90-year-old man in the presidency,” said political analyst, Ibbo Mandaza.

He accused Zanu (PF) of punishing the ‘old man’ by making him represent their party at coming elections.

UZ law lecturer, Greg Lennington, said some speeches given by the president at his rallies were disappointing and not expected of a Head of State.

Zapu spokesperson, Mjobisa Noko, said derogatory speeches from a state president would not help international relations.

“Mugabe has been shouting at everyone and creating fear in the electorate. His speeches are irrelevant and may trigger tightening of targeted sanctions against him (Mugabe) and his associates,” said Noko.

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