World’s oldest ruler to address youth

Zimbabwe’s 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe is due to embark on a series of rallies across the country to win the support of youth ahead of elections next year.

A huge-turn-out is expected at the rally in Marondera, a small town east of Harare,.

It will be the first of 10 rallies Mr Mugabe – the world’s oldest ruler – will address before he runs for re-election next year.

Ruling Zanu-PF Youth League secretary Kudzanyi Chpanga warned rival factions not to try and settle scores at the rally, billed by state media as the president’s “interactive meetings with the youth”.

Zanu-PF has been hit by infighting as rival leaders position themselves to succeed Mr Mugabe, even though the party has endorsed him as its presidential candidate in next year’s poll.

Mr Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.