FORMER President Robert Mugabe reportedly rejected an
invitation from his successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa to attend this
year’s Independence Day celebrations in Harare yesterday.
It was the first time since independence that Zimbabwe
celebrated freedom from colonialism without Mugabe leading the proceedings.
“He was officially invited, but refused,” NewsDay heard.
Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba said Mugabe had
initially indicated he would attend.
“Every Zimbabwean was invited to the celebrations,
including those in the opposition and former government,” Charamba said.
Asked if there had been an official invite to Mugabe
specifically, Charamba said Mugabe should be allowed to rest.
“I think people are expecting too much. It is not possible
for the former President to be expected to take an active role in national
issues a few months after the changes (of government). He needs to rest and he
is 94.
“Another thing is he flew back into the country a few days
ago from Singapore,” the presidential spokesperson said.
Charamba said Mugabe had advised government last month that
he would be travelling to the Far East for medical attention.
“On March 19th the former President advised the Chief
Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda in a handwritten note
that he was due for medical check-ups.
“He said ‘We will be in Singapore where we shall remain
until 15 April. We then return home to arrive on the 16 April in time for
independence celebrations’. So you can see he is aware of everything and not
locked out,” Charamba said.
In February, Mugabe, who was ousted in November last year
after a military intervention, snubbed celebrations to mark his 94 birthday and
stayed away from the public eye on a day set aside as a holiday to honour him.
Newsday
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