Harare - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is in Singapore, again, for a mere health check-up after recent punishing schedules in South Africa.
Mugabe, who never misses an opportunity to commandeer the national airliner to leave the country - was caught napping at the World Economic Forum held in Durban where he arrogantly claimed that Zimbabwe is the second most developed nation after South Africa.
The 93-year-old leader did not miss the irony of his statements when he however flew to Singapore on Monday for a mere health check-up ahead of the Saturday burial of Zimbabwe’s former Chief Justice, Godfrey Chidyausiku, who has been declared a national hero.
Mugabe delivers long winding speeches at such events, recently being at the burial of “state spy”, Zenzo Ntuliki at the National Heroes Acre.
A few weeks earlier, he officiated at the country’s 37th Independence Day celebrations in the National Sports Stadium, and with age taking its toll, the opposition said it was not surprising a health check was necessary.
Mugabe struggled to take steps to the small staircase to light the Independence Day flame, and had to be helped up by his security aides. He even visibly failed to light the Independence Day flame and had to be assisted, exposing his frailty.
He also inspected the guard of honour in a vehicle.
Mugabe’s frequent foreign jaunts anger the opposition, which questions why the 93-year-old leader does not delegate his subordinates to attend international conferences or seminars.
The never ending foreign travels have left Zimbabwe on autopilot as Cabinet does not meet when Mugabe is not around. On Monday, Mugabe forced the cancellation of the traditionally held Tuesday Cabinet meetings to enable him to visit Singapore.
