Doctors treating Vice President Constantino Chiwenga have advised the retired army general to call time on his political career as his health problems continue.
Chinese doctors watching Chiwenga the former Commander Defence Forces who masterminded the coup that toppled former President Robert Mugabe in 2017 and thrust President Emmerson Mnangagwa into the hot seat want him to focus mending.
Sources within government said the VP who is now able to walk, take light food as well as talk even though still critics has been advised to take less strain.
“The VP is coming back but the doctors have advised him to take a rest. The pressure that comes with his office might affect him badly.
“As already reported he has a problem with his esophagus replaced the whole way to the stomach with an artificial one because his natural one had been badly affected by cancer,” nEWS263zim.com heard.
Chiwenga is already reportedly “consulting” his inner circle.
“The question that we have is who will take up his post. He has not agreed to the advice as yet but indications are that he might agree to take a rest,” said another source.
Chiwenga has been in China for months now and was set to stay for months there as the Asian doctors want to monitor his progress.
He has so far undergone two operations related to his oesophagus and trachea amid poisoning fears.
“It is highly unlikely that he will come back and work. If the opposition had numbers in Parliament, they would have impeached him on health grounds but Zanu PF which has the majority, can’t impeach him,” said the source.
The source said senior government officials who have been briefed of the advice from doctors, are supporting his resignation.
According to the labour laws, the VP is entitled to a full salary within the first three months of his sick leave and thereafter his pay is cut gradually.
Chiwenga was airlifted to Beijing from South Africa in July at a time he was wasted, bed-ridden and in critical condition. He was rushed to hospital on landing, where he was admitted in the intensive care unit of a state-of-the-art hospital in a high security area, before being moved to a private ward.
The former army general underwent a major operation initially to try to clear the oesophagus in August but they realised it was better to remove it fearing the cancer cells would spread.
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 to the stomach.
Given the blockage, officials revealed, Chiwenga has struggled to eat resulting in him becoming emaciated due to illness and lack of food.
