The Daily Telegraph has been told that Mr Mugabe, who celebrates his 87th
birthday today, had undergone a prostate operation in Malaysia last month,
however, his spokesman denied the allegations.
The spokesman has confirmed that Mr Mugabe travelled to Singapore for a
cataract operation and on Sunday returned from the country following a
checkup on the procedure.
His absences from Harare means that cabinet has sat for just two hours in the
past two months, and government officials say that documents awaiting his
signature are piling up.
"The president's health has become an issue of public concern and even we
as ministers don't know what exactly is going on," one minister told
The Zimbabwe Independent. "There is need for clarity on this issue in
the public interest because it is now beginning to affect government
operations."
In December, Tendai Biti, the finance minister, told a rally that Mr Mugabe
was asleep for the "better part" of a two-hour meeting on the
budget.
Concerns about his health mean his potential successors are jockeying for
power behind him.
The two frontrunners are seen as Joyce Mujuru, the Vice President, who is
backed by husband Solomon, the former Army chief, and Emmerson Mnangagwa,
the current Defence Minister.
Human rights groups have warned that both were using illicit deals in the
country's bountiful diamonds to build up "war chests" to fight for
power once Mr Mugabe dies.
Mr Mnangagwa, 65, was Mr Mugabe's election officer during the violent 2008
presidential run-off
He is seen as the instigator of most political violence against Zanu PF's
political opponents and widely blamed for the massacres of opposition
supporters in Matabeleland between 1983 - 1987.
Mrs Mujuru, 55, is popular in her rural home area and is seen by some regional
leaders, especially South Africa, as an uncontroversial successor to Mr
Mugabe, untainted by allegations of involvement in violence.
Despite his rumoured ailing health, Mr Mugabe's birthday celebration is
expected to be a comparatively lavish affair.
Last year's event reportedly cost $300,000 in a country where almost seven in
10 live on around $1 a day. Guests were broadcast on state television
enjoying bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Chivas Regal whiskies.
Jingles are being played on state television channels asking Zimbabweans to
honour their illustrious leader by donating cash, while schoolchildren have
been reportedly asked to donate $1 each.
Last year, the Chinese threw a party - one of several to celebrate the event -
at their embassy in Harare at which a cake the size of a television set was
served.
This year, as they negotiate a deal with the government that would see it hand
over control of vast platinum reserves in return for a cash loan, their
hospitality is likely to be even more generous.
