Harare: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe denies he has been gravely ill and describes reports he underwent surgery in Malaysia as "naked lies”.
On his return from annual vacation, the 86-year-old leader said he had been in Singapore — not Malaysia. State radio reported on Monday that he called reports of his ill health were "naked lies crafted by the Western-manipulated media”.
Mugabe arrived home late Sunday and is scheduled to attend an African Union summit in Ethiopia this week.
The reports in the British, South African and independent Zimbabwe media said Mugabe was operated on for an inflamed prostate gland after suffering from a prostate condition for several years. They cited diplomats and other unnamed sources.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, January 24, 2011, 15:50