Mugabe to treat himself to a lavish 88 birthday celebration

President Robert Mugabe will mark his 88th birthday next week with a no-expense-spared celebration.

He will be joined by hundreds of guests from his ruling Zanu-PF party at the extravaganza in the  eastern city of Mutare.

Provinces around the country are reporterd to have been forced to dip into their coffers to help pay for the bash, which is expected to cost around $1million.

The event will feature a giant birthday cake, multi-course meals, a music gala featuring top Zimbabwean artists, a beauty pageant and a soccer tournament dubbed the 'Bob 88 Super Cup,' according to the South African Mail & Guardian newspaper.

Mugabe’s birthday plans have been dubbed the ‘21st February Movement’ by his supporters to mark the date in 1924 on which the tyrant was born.

The ani Mugabe weekly newspaper reported: "Over the past two months the provinces have been chipping in with 'donations' to make the big day a memorable one for Mugabe."

Despite his tarnished image, Mugabe has traditionally celebrated his birthday with a party and rally for Zanu-PF members. But this year the anniversary will also be marked by a string of demonstrations around the world against his rule.

Campaigners plan to hold protests outside Zimbabwean embassies next Tuesday in Britain, America, South Africa and several European capitals. They have been organised by campaigners on behalf of the five million Zimbabweans now living overseas.

Mugabe's birthday comes as he is preparing for fresh elections in Zimbabwe.

The Zanu-PF leader claimed  victory following a disputed  presidential poll in 2008 but was forced into a power-sharing  government a year later with Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

The two parties have maintained a shaky coalition since February 2009 but have stalled in attempts to draw up a new constitution for the country.

In recent months Mugabe has repeatedly signalled his intention to call fresh elections in the belief he can secure a new mandate to rule alone.

Comments