Zimbabwe: Rumours emerge over President Mugabe’s health

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s spokesman has declined to comment regarding rumors that the leader had suffered a heart attack, saying a response to the latest speculation about his health was “unnecessary”.

Spokesman George Charamba’s response was to a text message sent by reporters asking for an update on Mugabe’s health.

The online Zimbabwe news website Zim Eye published a letter on Tuesday by an anonymous author saying Mugabe was “reported to have collapsed after suffering a heart attack while on holiday with his family”.

The letter, which did not reveal the source of its information, added that Mugabe was in a critical condition and that his family had been told to expect the worst.

It did not say where he had suffered the heart attack or where he was being treated.

Reports about the declining health of Mugabe, are relatively common and Charamba normally declines to give an official response.

First vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa, stands in line to succeed Mugabe in the event of his death.

Source: Reuters