Chidi Samuel
Robert Mugabe,Zimbabwe’s long serving President joked that he resurrected from death on arrival from a foreign on Saturday mocking rumours that he had died or is critically ill. The 92-year-old Zimbabwean President, said,. “Yes, I was dead. It’s true I was dead. I resurrected as I always do once I get back to my country. I am real again,” he told reporters at Harare international airport after arriving from Dubai. His comments came after an online news site reported he had died mid-air on his trip to Dubai.
The 92 year old leader’s health has been under intense public and media scrutiny in recent years, especially after falling down a staircase after addressing supporters last year. He maintains that he is in perfect health and will stand for reelection in 2018, but opposition to his rule and re election continue to grow as seen by the surge in demonstrations across the country
In an attempt to stem the tide of protests, the Zimbabwe police has announced a two-week ban on protests in the capital Harare, after a string of violent demonstrations calling on President Mugabe to step down. There is little or nothing left of the economy with 90 percent of the population not in formal employment. The cash-strapped government has been slow to pay the salaries of public sector workers while banks are running out of cash.
President Robert Mugabe has been in power since 1980 when the country gained Independence.