Bona inclusion on Mugabe trip causes stir

The inclusion of President Robert Mugabe's daughter, Bona Mugabe-Chikore, on her father's government trip to Japan and the decision to allow her to sit by his side during an official meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday has, all but confirmed that the First Family could not entirely depend on his security team, analysts and opposition politicians have said.

They also said the move signified the fact that Mugabe's family was also now more cautious about his ill-health, hence Bona's inclusion to play the role of her mother, who remained behind, amid unconfirmed reports that First Lady Grace Mugabe (49) was not well.

Bona (24) was roped in on Mugabe's trip to Singapore for a medical check-up and later to Japan for the United Nations 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, after her mother Grace failed to make the trip as she is still recuperating from surgery.

Mugabe, who turned 91 last month, is battling ill-health coupled with failing eyesight which has seen him making several medical trips to Southeast Asia.

The Zanu-PF leader last month tumbled at Harare International Airport as a result of possibly failing balance and deteriorating eyesight after he missed a step on a flight of stairs shortly after returning from an African Union summit in Ethiopia.

While opposition parties have raised eyebrows on why Bona sat next to Mugabe in a diplomatic meeting, Analysts yesterday said it was only proper for her to be by her father's side given his frailty and the absence of her mother.