Emmmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba has claimed his boss had to cut his leave short because there are decisions that Chiwenga could not make as Acting President.

Charamba told the state media: “Administratively and legally, there is a limit to powers which an Acting President can wield. And in any event, the style has always been that the Acting President consults with the substantive President. Now in this particular case we have a serious situation in the health sector involving lives and naturally, the President has to demonstrate concern and that concern comes by way of cutting short his leave in order to work closely with the Acting President so that consultations are short circuited. It’s really for purposes of quick decision making given that there has to be constant consultation between the two.

“In fact, barely a day passes without telephone communication between the Acting President and the President. Now the President has come to deal with a situation in situ and that is meant to demonstrate seriousness of Government’s approach to issues.

“It (coming of the President) is also meant to send a clear signal to the striking doctors that this is not a Chiwenga issue. It is an issue for the Presidency. They are at one on this one because the matter is a serious one.”