Stricken Chiwenga flies out again

Ailing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has been flown out of the country reportedly for treatment for the second time inside two weeks.

Media reports that were not refuted by government claimed Chiwenga was admitted at a South African hospital triggering protests from suspected opposition activists. But a visibly unwell Chiwenga President was immediately wheeled onto national television for an interview to show he was in the country on Tuesday after attending Cabinet.

The Zimbabwe Morning Post is reliably informed that Chiwenga flew out of the country late Thursday aboard a private jet to South Africa.

“He left Manyame Airbase late last night (Thursday) aboard a private plane hired from Dubai. In fact the plane left at 21:00hrs,” a government source said.

Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi who is almost always willing to comment was not forthcoming.

“Please ask (George) Charamba (presidential spokesperson) he is responsible for presidential communications,” said Mutodi.

Charamba was not available for comment with his mobile going unanswered for the better part of the day.

This publication understands Charambo flew out late Friday with Mnangagwa for the African Union Ordinary Summit due in Ethiopia.

Information Ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangwana was also not available for comment.

Chiwenga has been unwell since last year and was at one point forced to refute allegations he was using bleaching chemicals. Charamba was quoted by local media as having claimed the Vice President was being treated for a “bullet lodged in his body since the liberation struggle.”

The VP also cryptically indicated he was “paying the price” for Operation Restore Legacy the military assisted transition that ousted former President Robert Mugabe and ushered in new President Emmerson Mnangagwa in November 2017.

His wife Mary has also shown the same symptoms. Chiwenga has been showing signs of irritation in public and his official engagements are becoming few and far between.