(Last Updated on January 10, 2013 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – President Mugabe returned home today from the Far East where he was on his traditional annual vacation.
Mugabe spent only a fortnight of his intended month long vacation in the Far East following an outcry from many Zimbabweans who saw it irresponsible for him to spend four weeks at time when there are crucial constitution negotiations going on.
President Mugabe landed at the Harare International Airport in the morning and was welcomed by Vice President Joice Mujuru, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi and senior Government officials, including service chiefs.
In a brief interview with journalists after landing, President Mugabe said 2013 was definitely a year of reckoning.
“The figure 13 is bad luck for others, not us,” he said, in reference to his political opponents. The country is going for elections this year and failure by Copac to wind up the constitution-making process is likely to see the country holding elections under the current supreme law.
President Mugabe is on record stating that the country would go for elections with or without a new constitution.
Contrary to some media reports that President Mugabe had rushed home, Presidential spokesman Mr George Charamba yesterday said that President Mugabe was scheduled to come back at 6am on January 10. He only arrived at Harare International Airport at 9.30am.
“Those that are late by a good three-and-a-half hours can never be deemed to have rushed back home. In fact, we are angry that he was late,” said Mr Charamba.