Vice-President John Nkomo, who was walking with the aid of a cane, resurfaced at the burial of Retired General Solomon Mujuru on Saturday.
Nkomo’s whereabouts had become subject of speculation, especially after President Robert Mugabe appointed grieving Vice-President Joice Mujuru Acting President when he travelled to Angola for the Sadc summit last week.
On Saturday, Nkomo appeared tired, moved slowly and was aided by two unidentified men as he made his way to the VIP tent.
Nkomo struggled to lay wreaths at Mujuru’s grave with the aid of the walking stick.
Earlier, there had been unconfirmed reports that Nkomo had flown to South Africa for treatment. Nkomo was conspicuous by his absence during Mujuru’s funeral wake only to resurface at the national shrine on Saturday.
According to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, President Mugabe had the option to appoint a senior minister as Acting President during his absence in the absence of both vice-presidents. Section 31 (1)(c ) says a minister may be appointed: “During the absence or incapacity of the vice-President or both Vice-Presidents, as the case may be, by such minister as may be designated for such an eventuality — (i) by the President or (ii) by the Cabinet, where no minister has been designated by the President in terms of sub-paragraph (i).”
