V.P Nkomo ill again in South Africa

Vice-President John Nkomo is reportedly ill again and is receiving treatment at a South African hospital in Capetown, The Zimbabwean has learnt.

Nkomo's son Jabulani confirmed the Vice-President was receiving treatment out of the country, but allayed fears he was in a serious condition.

"As you know, he has not been well for some time. He has taken leave to recover. He has been in and out of the country for his reviews and we expect him back in action by this weekend," Jabulani said.

A close family member who spoke on condition of anonymity said VP Nkomo was critically ill and was airlifted to Capetown for treatment.

“Umdala is very sick and he was flown back to Capetown recently and he is in hospital as I speak, but we hope he will be fine,” said the family member.

Rugare Gumbo, Zanu (PF) National Spokesperson said he did not know if Nkomo was still in South Africa.

“I don’t know and I am not sure if he is back from South Africa, but I think he is fine. Why don’t you check with his office?” Gumbo said, but frantic efforts to get comment from the ailing Vice President’s Office were fruitless as phones went ringing unanswered.

Meanwhile, Zanu (PF) insiders told The Zimbabwean that Nkomo was in bad shape when he left the country.

"He went to South Africa about three weeks ago and at one point we heard that his condition had deteriorated. We are not sure exactly what his condition is like right now, but he was bedridden," a party source said.

Last month Nkomo was supposed to officiate at the opening of a store in Gwanda, but Zanu (PF) national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo ended up presiding over the event because of the Vice-President's absence.

Zanu (PF) insiders added that Khaya Moyo and other senior party members were standing in for Nkomo at various national events, raising speculation about the VP’s health.

Recently, Minister of State in VP Nkomo’s office, Flora Buka read a speech on the Vice President’s behalf, officiating at a police pass-out parade at Morris Depot on the Vice President’s behalf, further sparking fears the ageing Vice President may be critically ill.

Apart from VP Nkomo, unconfirmed reports have said Lands and Resettlement Minister Hebert Murerwa is also sick and has not appeared in public for sometime now.