Mnangagwa finally speaks about the health of his deputy amid rumours of poisoning
Zimbabwean president chooses his words carefully as he explains Chiwenga’s absence
Harare — Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has spoken for the first time about the health of his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, amid rumours that the former army general is receiving treatment in India after being poisoned by political rivals within Zanu–PF. The allegations of poisoning are the latest script in the dog-eat-dog political battles of Zimbabwe’s governing party, in which Chiwenga has been one of the main actors. He masterminded the effective coup that saw former president Robert Mugabe step down under duress in November 2017. After the coup, Chiwenga was appointed vice-president and has been widely touted as the next in line to succeed Mnangagwa. A fortnight ago Chiwenga was widely reported to be in SA for treatment, before flying back home and being airlifted to India a few days later. During his return to Zimbabwe Chiwenga made a brief public appearance on national television “to prove that he was alive and well”, but this only succeeded to show the public that h...
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