Mugabe Confirms That Grace is Unwell

14 May 2011

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has publicly acknowledged that his wife Grace is unwell after she failed to attend a ceremony where she was supposed to be the guest of honour.

Grace was due to give the main speech at Willia Bonyongwe’s birthday celebrations last Thursday but her no-show forced Mugabe to take her slot. Willia, wife to intelligence chief, Happyton Bonyongwe, recently turned 50 and a party was hosted in her honour in the plush Borrowdale suburb.

“Mugabe apologised for Grace’s absence, saying the first lady could not attend as she was unwell,” one of the attendees revealed.

Grace’s health has been a matter of speculation in recent days, with reports that she was in Singapore to seek treatment, while others claimed she was studying in China.

This is the first time Mugabe has publicly spoken about his wife’s poor health since word started circulating that she was ill.

A fortnight ago, Mugabe is reported to have gone to Singapore to collect his ailing wife, with state media showing a gaunt Grace upon their return. Insiders have revealed that a few months ago, Mugabe hinted to members of his Zanu PF party that Grace was unwell, but this is the first time he has acknowledged her ill health.

It was reported that the First Lady fell while taking a bath at the family’s Borrowdale home and dislocated her hip.

However, at the time presidential spokesperson, George Charamba said Grace had suffered complications following the birth of her last child, Chatunga.

Charamba said Grace had not fully recovered from that ailment.

Grace’s public appearances have been erratic of late. She however accompanied her husband to the Vatican, with reports claiming she had not shown any signs of discomfort.

However, she was not at her husband’s side at the official opening of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, about a week ago, fuelling speculation that she was indeed unwell.

Initial media reports had explained Mugabe’s frequent visits to Singapore were due to his ill health, before news began to filter that it was actually Grace who was unwell.

AllAfrica – All the Time