Correspondent|Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister Sibusiso Moyo on Thursday underwent what sources said had been a “successful” emergency surgery at a Harare hospital for a kidney-related ailment.

The serious medical condition forced Moyo to miss the crucial United Nations General Assembly meeting in the United States, where Zimbabwe is represented by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The retired lieutenant general became an instant celebrity when he announced live on State television last November’s military intervention which led to the popular ouster from power of former long-ruling leader, Robert Mugabe.

This saw the affable and articulate former senior military officer earning the monicker “General Bae” or “the people’s soldier” among his admirers.

Well-placed sources said Moyo had been rushed to the Avenues Clinic earlier this week with a kidney-related complaint which had necessitated emergency surgery.

Mnangagwa and members of his Cabinet visited him at the hospital midweek, creating a buzz at the health centre, as well as wild speculation on social media.

Deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi later confirmed that Moyo was admitted at the hospital – adding that he was “recovering well from a minor illness”.

“He is stable but sick and is currently surrounded by close members of his family … only a few people have access to him. Hopefully, he will be out of hospital by the end of the week. He was operated on early today (yesterday) and the operation is related to his kidneys,” one source said.

Moyo announced on live television on November 15 last year the military’s intervention in the governance of the country.