At 89, Mugabe believes God wants him to lead Zim

Harare – Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has marked his 89th birthday by saying he still had a “divine task” from God to serve his nation.

Mugabe, who has led the southern African nation since independence in 1980, said he had received 89 animals as a birthday gift from the central bank chief, Gideon Gono.

State-run media ran advertisements praising Mugabe, who has pledged to run again in elections slated for later this year.

Social media forums in Zimbabwe filled up with comments both for and against the president, who has reportedly been in poor health and has been to Asia repeatedly for medical treatment.

- Sapa-dpa