Mugabe says no need to talk about succession- “I am still there”

President Robert Mugabe, who turns 90 tomorrow, says there is no need to talk about succession because this divides the party and he is still there.

In an interview which is to be aired on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation tonight, Mugabe says he is going to retire but he does not want to leave the party- the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front- divided.

According to the Herald Mugabe says: “But why should it (succession) be discussed when it is not due? Is it due?…The leadership still exists that runs the country. In other words I am still there. The people can discuss it if they want, but the moment they start discussing it they go into factions and then you find the party dividing itself and so why discuss it when it is not due?”

He goes on: “When the day comes and I retire, yes, sure, the day will come, but I do not want to leave my party in tatters. I want to leave it intact.”

Mugabe’s current term as Head of State ends in 1918, but his party is due to hold its congress this year. It is only at congress that new leadership is elected.

The next congress will be in 2019, but even in excerpts screened so far, Mugabe is looking frail and tired.

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