Robert Mugabe in Singapore for 'medical review', office says

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe is in Singapore for a “medical review” and will only return next week, his office said on Thursday.

President Mugabe, who celebrated his 93rd birthday at a lavish ceremony in Harare last week, left the country on Wednesday morning.

His spokesman George Charamba said the veteran leader left for Singapore “for a scheduled medical review”.

“We expect him back in the country early next week,” he said.

Mr Mugabe regularly flies to Singapore for treatment but denies reports he suffers from prostate cancer.

In the past, he revealed he had eye cataract treatment in Asia.

The veteran ruler was in Asia for his annual vacation in December and returned in late January. He is believed to have sought medical treatment then, though the government could not confirm.

His latest trip to Singapore has angered some Zimbabweans as it comes at a time when government doctors and nurses have boycotted work over pay.

Critics argue the money spent by the president to seek treatment abroad could be used to improve the working conditions of nurses and doctors locally.

Zimbabwe’s medics have long grappled with poor working conditions and salaries that are often paid late.