"Why I Pretend To Sleep At Public Events" - President Mugabe Reacts To Claims He Sleeps At Events

The 93-year-old Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe has reacted to claims by some parties that he falls asleep at public events.

The president through his spokesman, George Charamba, while addressing the accusation from the quarters noted that the 93-year-old is not sleeping, but instead protecting his aged eyes from bright lights.

Charamba while defending the president’s action was quoted by the state-owned newspaper, Herald to have said that the president makes regular visit to Singapore to receive specialized treatment for an eye condition. He added:

“I feel like a failure when there is this reading that the President is sleeping in conferences. No. At 93, there is something that happens to the eyes and the president cannot suffer bright lights. If you look at his poise, he looks down, avoids direct lighting.”

He further noted that like Nelson Mandela, Mugabe’s eyes are sensitive to flash photography.

“In the case of Mandela, if you remember, you were not allowed to even use flashes whenever he was in the room. This is what happens at 93 and Mandela, I do not think lived as long as the president.”