Mugabe’s sister in hospital nine months on

Comment & Analysis
BY CAIPHAS CHIMHETE PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s half-sister, Bridgette, is still battling for her life in the intensive care unit (ICU), nine months after she was first admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital.

Close relatives last week confirmed that Bridgette, who was taken to hospital in a comma last August, had not recovered from a severe diabetes attack.

“She is not well,” said one relative who requested anonymity citing family procedures. “She went through a diabetic attack that damaged part of her brain and it was quite severe.”

The relative added: “She cannot fully recover. She can only open her eyes, look and blink.”

Parirenyatwa General Hospital public relations manager Jane Dadzi refused to comment on Bridgette’s condition on Thursday referring questions to close family relatives.

“They are the only ones who can confirm whether she is still here or not as well as her condition,” she said.

However, a check with the hospital’s information desk confirmed that the president’s half-sister was still detained at the institution.

A younger half-sister to the late Sabina Mugabe who was declared a national heroine and buried at Heroes Acre in Harare last year, Bridgette was admitted at one of the country’s largest referral hospitals after she collapsed at State House.

The president and other family members make frequent visits to the hospital, officials said.

Bridgette again collapsed at the national shrine as her sister’s body was being carried to the grave.

Reports say after regaining composure, she started screaming and uttering incomprehensible words.

This was not the first time Bridgette caused a stir at the national shrine.