Zimbabwe's Mugabe Falls at Airport

The veteran leader missed a step and hit the canvas while making his way to his Mercedes Benz limousine after addressing supporters as he returned

Mugabe, 91 this month, tumbled down a staircase as he walked off a podium after addressing hundreds of supporters.

He had just returned from Ethiopia where he took over the rotating chairmanship of the African Union.

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba refused to comment saying the incident had nothing to do with the media.

"Zvinei nemi izvozvo (what has that got to do with you)?" he said

Minutes after the story was picked by international media, Zanu PF's communication department was also on twitter defending the party leader.

"Please don't allow rumours and lies. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe did not fall, he was doing a bounce (like the kids do)," the department said.

Zanu PF deputy director of information Psychology Maziwisa also wrote that his boss was fit as usual.

"President Robert Mugabe returned home this afternoon, looking as youthful as ever," said Maziwisa.

But MDC Renewal spokesperson Jacob Mafume said there were many things falling apart in the country because of Mugabe.

"Whilst he might not the first person to fall, we have maintained that state house is not an old people's home," he said.

Meanwhile, reporters who had taken pictures of the 90 year-old falling incident were rounded up by Mugabe's security detail and forced to delete the images.

About 10 photo-journalists said they were forced to delete pictures of the incident by members of the central intelligence organisation (CIO).

Journalists who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com said they had no option but to delete the images as they fear for their lives.

"There is no story worth dying for," said one reporter.

"We were instructed in no uncertain terms to delete all the pictures. As I attempted to dodge the security people I was followed by a CIO operative who demanded that I delete all the pictures."

Another journalist who claimed to have the pictures said, "we were told if anyone publish the picture he/she will be in trouble."

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