'Mugabe is still fit for re-election'

Leader of liberation war veterans says President Mugabe is still fit to seek re-election and will remain in power until he dies.

Jabulani Sibanda, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association leader told journalists on the sidelines of the sitting of the nomination court that his members would ensure Mugabe retains power at all costs.

Zimbabwe's veteran President Robert Mugabe and his long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai will both be vying in the upcoming presidential election.

Their candidacies were approved by a court in Harare, although a final date has yet to be confirmed for the elections that will end an uneasy four-year power-sharing arrangement between Mugabe and Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai has posed the stiffest challenge to Mugabe's 33-year rule of the southern African nation, but failed to win in the last elections in 2008 which were mired in violence.

Asked about Mugabe's health after the 89-year-old flew to Singapore for a medical check, Emmerson Mnangagwa said: "He is fitter than you, he is a careful man. He has gone for a normal medical check-up for his eye."

Mugabe has proclaimed July 31 as the date for Zimbabwe's general election but it is not clear if they will be held on that date.

Following pressure from regional leaders for key reforms to be implemented, Mugabe called for the constitutional court to agree a two-week delay.

Tsvangirai also filed an appeal arguing that a two-week delay was not enough to implement reforms and the court has set a hearing on the issue for Thursday next week.