Mugabe won't stand for re-election if he is not well – report

Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe will only stand for re-election in 2018 if he's in good enough health, the official Herald newspaper reported Wednesday.

Mugabe told reporters in Japan, "Only God knows what will happen in two years' time... If I am fit enough (to contest), yes, but if I am not fit enough, I will not," he was quoted as saying.

The 92-year-old's health is a constant source of speculation in and outside Zimbabwe. Many believe his frequent trips abroad include health check stop-offs in Singapore.

On this trip Mugabe left for Japan last Wednesday, five days before his working visit started.

The privately-owned Newsday reported on Tuesday that he had stopped off in Singapore "which has become his favourite destination for reported medical treatment". He only left Singapore for Tokyo on Sunday, the report said.

First lady, Grace Mugabe, wields increasing power in Zimbabwe and there is speculation she might be eyeing the top spot herself, though a senior official in her Zanu-PF women's league claimed this week she was "only supporting" her husband.

The official Chronicle said on Tuesday that Nomthandazo Moyo, the deputy head of the ruling party's women's league, claimed the 50-year-old first lady "never said she wants to rule this country".