President Emmerson Mnangagwa has had a bad cold over the past few days that saw him taking medication in public, his spokesperson George Charamba has claimed.

Charamba made the clarification after a picture of the President holding a packet of tablets went viral on social media.

In an interview with State Media, Charamba said there was nothing amiss with the President holding the tablets.

“He had a bad cold that saw him dropping off the burial of General Valerio Sibanda’s mother, Gogo Yowana Kubvoruno, where he was then represented by his deputy, General Constantino Chiwenga (Retired),” he said.

“There is nothing to picture home about. The Meteorological Services Department has been giving us periodic updates about the chilling weather conditions. Even the President lives under the same weather just like you and me – they are also susceptible to cold.

“The President is back in form and that is why he is back on his campaign trail.”