It will be abnormal for Mnangagwa to succeed Mugabe - Mutasa

Zanu-PF Secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa has said it would be abnormal for Defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed President Robert Mugabe ahead of the party's 2 Vice presidents and national chairman.

Mutasa refuted claims by a London newspaper the Sunday Telegraph that Mugabe had reached a "gentleman's agreement" with Mnangagwa to hand over power to him if he manages to successfully campaign for him in the next presidential elections.

Mugabe's confidants yesterday came out to clear the air amid heightened speculation the world over that the President was battling for life in Singapore where he was reportedly seeking treatment for various ailments, including prostate cancer and eye complications.

Mugabe is expected back today and should chair Cabinet tomorrow. A source in Singapore said President Mugabe and his family were on Monday spotted apparently on a shopping spree at Ochard Road shopping mall. The source says Mugabe did not appear to be in any danger according to the source.

Minister of State in President's office Didymus Mutsa confirming President Mugabe is returning home today and will chair Cabinet tomorrow.  

ZBC News had a senior member of the Zanu-PF politburo Christopher Mutsvangwa saying the reports purporting that Mugabe is battling for his life in a Singapore hospital are a last ditch effort to create uncertainty and chaos in the country in the face of the coming independence celebrations and planned elections by those opposed to Mugabe's visionary leadership which saw the indigenous majority being empowered through various programmes.

"Those who hate our President have gone crazy. They look at every movement the President makes, even a holiday move, they want to read more into it than the ordinary," Mutsvangwa said.