Fit Mugabe returns, threatens to dissolve parly

[JANU Ar Y 23, 2011]

PRESIDENT robert mugabe (pictured) on Sunday returned home from Singapore and immediately declared that he had the “constitutional right” to dissolve Parliament and call for elections, even if it meant using the old constitution.

the President said the inclusive government was not meant to be a permanent establishment and that if no consensus could be reached on the Global Political Agreement to come up with a new constitution, he would cause the holding of an election this year.

His return ended weeks of speculation over his health.

the President appeared fit and very lively too.

Last week there were reports that President mugabe was unwell and had undergone surgery. He dismissed the claims as “naked lies”.

mugabe told a ZBC News crew soon after arrival at the Harare International Airport that: “I have a constitutional right in the absence of any GPA position regarding the holding of an election.

“For those who do not want we will simply dissolve Parliament and go for an election under the old constitution.”

the comments fly in the face of Prime minister morgan tsvangirai’s assertion that President mugabe could not call for an election without consulting other GPA principals.

reacting to speculation over his health, mugabe said such rumours had become the norm each time he went on leave.

“those are the rumours that they pass. they go on a campaign that I am not well every time I go on leave. I was not even in malaysia, I was in Singapore,” he said.