ZANU PF's propaganda machinery was at pains Wednesday to manage
President Robert Mugabe's fall at the Harare International Airport with
the octogenarian leader's security detail ordering journalists to delete
images of the incident. Mugabe, 91 this month, tumbled down a staircase as he walked off a podium after addressing hundreds of supporters.
He had just returned from Ethiopia where he took over the rotating chairmanship of the African Union.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba refused to comment saying the incident had nothing to do with the media. "Zvinei nemi izvozvo (what has that got to do with you)?" he said
Minutes after the story was picked by international media, Zanu PF's
communication department was also on twitter defending the party leader. "Please don't allow rumours and lies. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe
did not fall, he was doing a bounce (like the kids do)," the department
said. Zanu PF deputy director of information Psychology Maziwisa also wrote that his boss was fit as usual.
"President Robert Mugabe returned home this afternoon, looking as youthful as ever," said Maziwisa.
But MDC Renewal spokesperson Jacob Mafume said there were many things falling apart in the country because of Mugabe.
"Whilst he might not the first person to fall, we have maintained that state house is not an old people's home," he said.
Meanwhile, reporters who had taken pictures of the 90 year-old
falling incident were rounded up by Mugabe's security detail and forced
to delete the images.
About 10 photo-journalists said they were forced to delete pictures
of the incident by members of the central intelligence organisation
(CIO).
Journalists who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com said they had no option but to delete the images as they fear for their lives.
"There is no story worth dying for," said one reporter.
"We were instructed in no uncertain terms to delete all the pictures.
As I attempted to dodge the security people I was followed by a CIO
operative who demanded that I delete all the pictures."
Another journalist who claimed to have the pictures said, "we were
told if anyone publish the picture he/she will be in trouble."
Culled
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