President Robert Mugabe reportedly sneaked out of the country early yesterday for medical check-up in Singapore, with his entire family having already left on Monday, top government sources said.
First Lady Grace reportedly flew out of Harare on Monday to organise a charter flight for the 93-year-old leader, who is believed to have been in bad shape.
Presidential spokesperson, George Charamba did not respond to questions sent to him.He, however, confirmed to the State media that Mugabe indeed left the country for a “scheduled” medical review in Singapore.
“His excellency the President left this morning for Singapore for a scheduled medical review. We expect him back in the country next week,” Charamba was quoted as saying last night.
Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko is the acting President.
Sources said that the First Lady flew out on Monday to organise a charter flight from Dubai as Mugabe was reportedly unable to use Air Zimbabwe.
“It’s a tricky health situation. The usual Boeing 767 is awaiting a C-check (major aircraft service) which requires over $150 000. The airline does not have this kind of money now,” an official said. “He could also not use the Boeing 737 because it would require stop-overs every four hours to refuel and other technical check-ups.”
Mugabe and his children who are reportedly in Dubai, have become visitors to Zimbabwe spending most of their time out of the poverty stricken country run-down by the Zanu-PF leader’s policies.
Although it could not be established which airline Mugabe had flown, the Zanu-PF strongman reportedly left the country around 2am yesterday.