Once again I prove to myself I should make sure I'm really not going to post something from the news before I say I'm not posting news.

'Mugabe is very strong and healthy'

Harare - The Zimbabwean government on Friday denied reports that President Robert Mugabe had taken ill on a trip to Cuba, describing them as falsehoods spread by Zimbabwe's detractors.

South African broadcasters reported on Wednesday that Mugabe was headed from Havana to Iran for emergency medical treatment.

Zimbabwe's ambassador to Cuba Jevan Maseko said Mugabe was "very strong and healthy".

Mugabe, who travelled to Cuba last Sunday for a United Nations environment convention, was expected to return to Harare on Friday.

The government also described as mischievous media reports that vice-president Simon Muzenda was critically ill in the Harare's main hospital. - Sapa-AP