Mugabe in Singapore for medical attention

“He went for a review following an eye operation he had earlier on. He will be back tomorrow (Sunday),” Shamu said.

But on March 3, Mugabe’s spokesperson George Charamba was quoted telling state media that his boss was “going for his final check-up”.“As you know after a cataract operation there is a period of two weeks to check up,” Charamba said.

A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystaline lens of the eye or in the envelope.

Operations to remove cataracts are usually performed using a local anaesthetic and the patient is allowed to go home the same day.It was not clear if Mugabe had used an Air Zimbabwe flight.

He had returned home from the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sunday after a burst tyre delayed his flight by more than 24 hours.

Over the years Mugabe’s health has been a source of intense speculation, which has been heightened by leaked US diplomatic cables quoting his closest associates saying he had advanced prostate cancer.

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One of the cables released by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks claimed Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono told former US ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee that in 2008 doctors had given Mugabe five years to live.

The doctors allegedly told him that his prostate cancer had spread to a number of organs and was now irreversible.

“According to Gono, Mugabe’s doctor had recommended he cut back on his activities,” reads part of the 2008 cable. “Gono told us last year that Mugabe was ill and that his doctor had urged him to step down immediately.“Mugabe told his doctor, according to Gono, that he would leave office after the election.” Gono has denied talking to the Americans about Mugabe’s health.

Zanu PF politburo member Jonathan Moyo is also quoted in one of the cables claiming the veteran ruler had throat cancer but the Tsholotsho North MP has disassociated himself from the claims.

Mugabe has also admitted that his wife Grace spent some time in Asia undergoing treatment for a dislocated hip.

The Standard first reported about the First Lady’s injury after she allegedly fell down at their Borrowdale home.

There were also reports that the Mugabes demanded at least US$3 million from Treasury each time they went to Asia.The money is believed to be for medical bills and travel expenses for his usually large entourage.