Mugabe's age 'not an issue for us Zimbabweans'

Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions secretary-general Ottoman Magaya on Thursday said "President Robert Mugabe's age is not an issue for us as Zimbabweans" as he addressed the 17th World Federation of Trade Unions Congress in Durban.

Magaya said Mugabe, 92, who has been in power for more than 34 years, "is loved for his fast-track land reform and his indigenisation and economic empowerment policies which were benefiting the workers and peasants alike". "This is why Mugabe's age is not an issue," Magaya said. "What matters is what he delivers."

He blamed the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe on sanctions imposed by the United States, Britain and Europe. "It was for this reason that Zimbabwe was punished by way of economic sanctions imposed by the great hypocrites of this world," Magaya said.

"The sanctions have caused company closures, salary and job cuts. We can't blame President Mugabe's age for these sanctions-induced hardships. How can they blame him and government for the economic meltdown?" There was rapturous applause from delegates as Magaya continued to sing the praises of Mugabe.