A report by The Independent claims that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga underwent a life-saving yet risky operation at a top Beijing hospital over the weekend.
Chiwenga was flown to China several weeks ago from a South African hospital with some reports alleging that he was poisoned.
Citing unnamed officials, the publication says Chiwenga remains in a stable, but critical condition.
He reportedly experienced a blocked oesophagus, making it difficult for him to eat. As a result, he became thin due to illness and undernourishment.
For some time, the VP was fed intravenously while admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of a state-of-the-art hospital. He was later on moved to a private ward. A security official is quoted as saying:
He has improved a lot, but because he is still critical, the medical team had to delay the operation. The operation was done over the weekend and it was successful. He is now recovering from the procedure.
He is still scheduled to go undergo more operations, but this will be done after he has fully recovered from the first operation.
He is still in a serious condition, but the fact that he had an operation is an indication that he is improving. He was initially too weak and vulnerable for the procedure, so it’s encouraging that it was finally done.
The Chinese government reportedly provides regular updates on Chiwenga to the government of Zimbabwe through direct communication between President Xi Jinping and President Mnangagwa as well as through the Chinese embassy.