President Emmerson Mnangagwa returned to the country last night from a four day visit to Mozambique where he attended the 12th US-Africa Business Summit, but, Acting President Costantino Chiwenga was conspicuously absent at the Robert Mugabe International Airport to welcome his boss back as protocol would require.

President Mnangagwa was received was instead received back home by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Harare Metropolitan Province Oliver Chidawu, Minister of Defence and War Veterans Oppah Muchinguri, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, service chiefs and other senior government officials.

Chiwenga’s absence all but confirmed rumours that were strongly disputed by ZANU PF defenders that the Vice President was ill and never attended to his acting duties that were instead being carried out by Muchinguri.

Not seen in public in almost a month, the ailing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was left as Acting President on Tuesday .

Chiwenga was too sick to attend the usual welcome handshake rituals at the Robert Mugabe International Airport on both Mnangagwa’s departure and his arrival. Second Vice President Kembo Mohadi, 69, was also absent on both occasions he too reported to be receiving treatment in South Africa.

Muchinguri was the most senior ranking government official at the airport, and spoke briefly with Mnangagwa.

Chiwenga was airlifted to India on May 18 and did not return home until June 9. He has not been seen in public even after his return. He missed a meeting between Mnangagwa and leaders of some opposition parties on June 14 and also did not attend Cabinet on Tuesday this week.

Government sources said Chiwenga, whose ailment has not been disclosed, was “still indisposed”.

Mohadi, meanwhile, is also understood to have been flown to South Africa where he regularly goes for treatment. The nature of his chronic illness has not been disclosed.