DICTATOR Robert Mugabe made a wry joke about being "resurrected" after he was spotted in public after the latest rumours the despot had died.
The 92-year-old president of Zimbabwe, Africa’s oldest leader, arrived at the capital’s main airport on Saturday, ending speculations over his well-being.
There had been several rumours that Mugabe had flown to Dubai to seek medical treatment for an unspecified illness.
Mugabe is known to fly to the east for medical treatment, given his own country’s ailing healthcare system.
Officials refused to disclose why the nonagenarian had stopped off in the Gulf state, fuelling the rumours.
But he appeared in good spirits and chatted to reporters when he touched down in Harare, the capital city.
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Flanked by security aides, he made a tongue-in cheek comment about the rumours surrounding his health.
Mugabe, head of the ruling ZANU-PF party, said: "Yes, I was dead, it's true I was dead. I resurrected as I always do.
"Once I get back to my country I am real.
"I had gone on a family matter to Dubai concerning one of my children.”
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He did not elaborate or give any further details, but addressed the speculation mounting over his health, referencing viral claims about an alleged illness.
Mugabe has often had to bat away accusations over his health, constantly insisting he is as “fit as a fiddle”.
He has been the prime minister of the country since 1980, when it gained independence from Britain, continuing as president in 1987.
But he has faced accusations of bringing a once-prosperous economy to its knees, facing criticism over rampant inflation - once at 80 billion per cent - and questionable policies such as the seizure of white-owned farms.
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The twice-married politicians has faced numerous demonstrations in the last couple of months by protestors calling for economic and political reform.
The county is facing a crisis as it cannot afford to pay the salaries of soldiers, police and other public sector workers.
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