Mugabe back in Zimbabwe after overseas absence, health fears

Flight data had suggested his plane was heading to East Asia but that it instead went to Dubai. The president told people Saturday he had been away attending to family matters.

Zimbabwe’s 92-year-old President Robert Mugabe arrived home Saturday after an overseas absence that led to rumors about a health crisis, joking to reporters that “Yes, I was dead”.

Reports on the Southern Daily website claimed he had suffered a stroke and that Zimbabwe’s vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa had been installed as interim leader.

“I am real again”, Mr Mugabe told reporters at Harare worldwide airport after arriving from Dubai.

“It is true that I was dead”, the world’s oldest head of state said.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe (L) and his wife Grace look on during the Defence Force’s 36th Anniversary celebrations in the capital Harare, Zimbabwe, August 9, 2016. I resurrected as I always do. “Once I get back to my country I am real”, according to Reuters.

Zimbabwe is struggling to pay salaries to soldiers, police and other public workers, adding to political tensions including within his ruling ZANU-PF party.

The country remains in political and economic turmoil, amid allegations of government corruption.

Mugabe’s return comes amid renewed violence surrounding both his handling of the economically striken nation and his bid to run again for office in 2018.

The capital, Harare saw a wave of protests last week, with dozens arrested.

Mr Mugabe has vowed to crack down on anti-government dissent.