News / National
Mystery surrounds Chiwenga's treatment in SA
04 Feb 2019 at 22:05hrs | Views
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is receiving treatment in South Africa, the second time in four months, after falling ill last week.
Protestors against Chiwenga's decision to seek medication in South Africa may have been in vain after South African officials denied that he is being treated at the Cape Town hospital.
"Western Cape Health Department confirms Zimbabwe's Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga is not being treated at Cape Town's Groote Schuur Hospital." SABC News reported. "A group of Zimbabwean nationals are protesting outside the hospital, calling for Chiwenga to go back home to receive treatment there."
The health of Chiwenga, 62, is closely followed in Zimbabwe because he is widely seen as the power behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the front-runner to succeed him. The former military general led the coup that ousted long-time ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017.
Mnangagwa last week dismissed rumours of a rift with Chiwenga, which have gathered momentum since he promised action in response to a brutal security crackdown on protests last month while he was abroad.
The privately-owned NewsDay said Chiwenga had initially checked in at a private hospital last week but had to travel to Cape Town for further treatment. The paper, quoting sources, did not say what he was being treated for.
George Charamba, the spokesman in the presidency, on Monday said he could not immediately comment.
Last October, Charamba said Chiwenga travelled to South Africa for treatment for injuries sustained in a bombing during a Mnangagwa campaign rally ahead of the July 30 vote.
Since last year, Chiwenga's hands have been visibly swollen with discoloured skin patches.
Protestors against Chiwenga's decision to seek medication in South Africa may have been in vain after South African officials denied that he is being treated at the Cape Town hospital.
"Western Cape Health Department confirms Zimbabwe's Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga is not being treated at Cape Town's Groote Schuur Hospital." SABC News reported. "A group of Zimbabwean nationals are protesting outside the hospital, calling for Chiwenga to go back home to receive treatment there."
Western Cape Health Department confirms Zimbabwe's Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga is not being treated at Cape Town's Groote Schuur Hospital. A group of Zimbabwean nationals are protesting outside the hospital, calling for Chiwenga to go back home to receive treatment there
— SAfm news (@SAfmnews) February 4, 2019
The health of Chiwenga, 62, is closely followed in Zimbabwe because he is widely seen as the power behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the front-runner to succeed him. The former military general led the coup that ousted long-time ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017.
Mnangagwa last week dismissed rumours of a rift with Chiwenga, which have gathered momentum since he promised action in response to a brutal security crackdown on protests last month while he was abroad.
The privately-owned NewsDay said Chiwenga had initially checked in at a private hospital last week but had to travel to Cape Town for further treatment. The paper, quoting sources, did not say what he was being treated for.
George Charamba, the spokesman in the presidency, on Monday said he could not immediately comment.
Last October, Charamba said Chiwenga travelled to South Africa for treatment for injuries sustained in a bombing during a Mnangagwa campaign rally ahead of the July 30 vote.
Since last year, Chiwenga's hands have been visibly swollen with discoloured skin patches.
Source - Byo24News
