VP Chiwenga prepares to return home after ‘remarkable recovery’ in China
Politics Zimbabwe

VP Chiwenga prepares to return home after ‘remarkable recovery’ in China

VICE President Constantino Chiwenga has made remarkable recovery at a top health institution in Beijing where he was being treated, and is now set to home.

“The vice-president is expected back in Zimbabwe either at the end of the month or at the beginning of December,” the Independent reported Friday, adding that the Chiwenga who will return home is looking all-fit, health and strong as opposed to a weak, sickly and emaciated man who was airlifted to China in July this year.

“He is now in very good shape. Remember, when he was airlifted to China he was in a terrible state and was severely emancipated. He was weighing 55 kilogrammes and could not eat, but he is now weighing about 90kgs,” an official said.

“We cannot say he is 100% fit because he is still receiving medical care in hospital. But the progress has been quite amazing.“When he went to China, he could not eat because his oesophagus was blocked, but now he is able to eat on his own. He can even eat meat now. His voice is also now sharp and loud, but when he went to China, his words were hardly audible
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“If all goes well, he will be coming at the end of this month or at the beginning of December,” the Independent wrote, quoting family, government, military officials and an official resident in Beijing.

Chiwenga reportedly underwent two delicate operations to clear part of his oesophagus which was blocked. The oesophagus is a muscular tube which connects the mouth to the stomach. When swallowing food, the walls of the oesophagus contract, enabling food to move down to the stomach.

Because of the blockage, officials revealed, Chiwenga was unable to eat, resulting in him becoming emaciated due to illness and lack of food.

In July this year, the publication reports, Chiwenga was admitted to the intensive care unit of a state-of-the-art hospital in a high security area before being moved to a private ward, where he is still admitted.

After intensive tests, doctors determined Chiwenga should undergo a critical operation. He was, however, deemed too weak for the procedure, prompting doctors to put him on intensive intravenous feeding — to nourish his body through the veins.

Officials revealed the former military commander could not undergo the entire procedure because of his condition, hence the decision to ensure that he gets time to recover before being subjected to another operation.

“Both operations went very well and he and those around him are pleased with the Chinese medical team as well as the care and hospitality he has been receiving. Although he is in hospital, the Chinese have made sure that he is very comfortable and has everything that he needs in a very private suite. His aides are also very well-catered for,” a Beijing-based official said.

The source of Chiwenga’s illness remains a matteer of public debate and speculation. However, in May last year, while speaking at the burial of his sister Margaret Machekabuwe in Marondera, Chiwenga said he fell ill during Operation Restore Legacy — the coup which ousted Robert Mugabe.

Operation Restore Legacy was the code name for the military coup which toppled Mugabe in November 2017, resulting in President Emmerson Mnangagwa rising to the presidency. In its initial stages, the illness caused Chiwenga’s skin to turn lighter in complexion, resulting in speculation that he was using skin-lightening creams and might have skin cancer.

Chiwenga, however, said his new light complexion was the result of a rare disease that afflicted him.“Let me say this since the media are here. During Operation Restore Legacy, I was with General (Phillip Valerio) Sibanda (Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander), he is a great man as you see him, I also called (Police Commissioner-General Godwin) Matanga (to the meeting). Unfortunately, I fell very sick, while in their company,” he said.

“This is what caused my sickness to the extent of having a light skin. I was affected all over the body, and the papers said I am applying a skin-lightening cream.”

Before being airlifted to China, Chiwenga had previously had similiar trips to India and South Africa failed to yield results.

According to the report, the Chinese government is regularly updating the government of Zimbabwe through direct communication between President Xi Jinping and President Mnangagwa as well as through the Chinese embassy.

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