Pride comes before a fall? Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, 90, falls down podium steps after being greeted by his adoring supporters
- Zimbabwe's president tripped as he walked down steps at the airport
- Mugabe, new chairman of the African Union, was returning from Ethiopia
- The leader, in power since 1987, had been greeted by adoring supporters
- Mugabe whisked away in waiting limousine after the accident
- Photographers who captured the fall asked to delete pictures, it is claimed
Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe has been pictured falling down a set of steps after addressing his adoring supporters at an airport.
The 90-year-old President - who has held the position since 1987 - took a tumble as he walked down some steps from a podium where he had been addressing his adoring supporters
He had been talking to the crowd at Harare International Airport, who had gathered to welcome Mugabe back from a trip to Ethiopia - where he had been elected chairman of the 54-state African Nation.
He claimed 'no African country' had opposed Zimbabwe's elevation to lead the organisation.
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Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, 91, tripped as he came down some podium stairs at the airport
He had been addressing his adoring supporters on his return from an African Union meeting in Ethiopia, where he became the 54-nation organisation's chairman
However, when you are keeping quite as firm a grasp on power as Mugabe, it doesn't do to show any sign of weakness.
As a result, some press photographers who captured the fall are claiming they were forced to delete their pictures by security personnel.
Mugabes spokesman was not immediately available for comment.
It is understood the President - who has overseen his once-prosperous nation's steep decline since starting to seize white-owned farms in 2000 - was helped up quickly by aides, before being whisked away in his waiting limousine.
He had been welcomed to the airport by cheering supporters, who held placards aloft - one of which said 'Your greatness resonates across Africa and beyond'.
But this is a far from widespread sentiment.
Photographers who caught the accident claim they were asked to delete their pictures by security personnel
I'm a storyteller says Mugabe in eccentric address (Archive)