Zimbabwe's first lady says she plans to get a 'special' wheelchair for her 91-year-old husband so that he can continue to rule.
Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace Mugabe
According to Grace Mugabe, wife to the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, her husband will continue as President of Zimbabwe until he is 100, governing from a “special wheelchair”.
Speaking at a political rally on Saturday, Grace told supporters that she would get a wheelchair for her husband, President Robert Mugabe, to use.
In the televised speech, Mugabe, 50, vowed to push the wheelchair herself, taking a swipe at critics who say her husband is too old to govern.
She said: “We are going to create a special wheelchair for President Mugabe until he rules to 100 years, because that is what we want. That is the people’s choice. We want a leader that respects us.”
Grace, herself a cabinet minister, said in a speech over the weekend that while the 91-year-old’s mind might be willing, increasingly his body may not be. According to reports in the Zimbabwean press, Mr Mugabe has recently had trouble walking, as his advanced years begin to catch up with him.
She told supporters she would ensure her husband remains in power as long as he can still speak.
However, the Zimbabwean president’s critics have questioned his ability to rule after he read the wrong speech in parliament. Several stumbles at public events have made headlines.
Robert Mugabe has led Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.