Mugabe’s apparent obsession with outlasting Kaunda was revealed to US embassy officials by RBZ governor Gideon Gono during a meeting held on September 5, 2007, leaked embassy cables have revealed.

In her report following the meeting, Katherine Dhanani, a US foreign Affairs official then with the Harare embassy, wrote: “Gono told us he had broached Mugabe's retirement with him by suggesting the country needed his memoirs. Mugabe responded with a litany of reasons as to why he did not wish to step down now”.

Mugabe is said to have cited the fact that his deputy, Vice President Joseph Msika, was unwell along with the “significant infighting within Zanu PF”.

“(Mugabe) agreed with Tony Blair on one thing -- the time to step down was after leading one's party to victory, thereafter giving it time to consolidate before the next election,” Dhanani wrote.

“He did not want to have led the party for much of his life and then see it get defeated after his departure ... There had been questions about his legitimacy, and he wanted to put those to rest through an election victory next year.”

“Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda had left office after 27 years. (Mugabe) wanted to exceed this, which meant staying on until next year. (Note: Gono thought Mugabe felt a personal rivalry with Kaunda since Kaunda had supported ZAPU)."

The RBZ chief also revealed that Mugabe’s Malaysian personal doctor had since re-located to Harare as concern increased over the President’s health.

Said Dhanani: “In a hushed voice, Gono then told us Mugabe's personal physician from Malaysia was now living in Harare, close to Mugabe. He said he (Gono) alone was part of health discussions with Mugabe and the physician.

“The physician had urged Mugabe to step down immediately; continuing as President would be dangerous to his health. Mugabe had resisted and asked him to keep him going until next year's elections.

By Staff reporter and agencies