Robert Mugabe threatens to seize whites’ land in defiant speech

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe marked his 91st birthday by speaking for more than an hour on his feet, delivering a defiant speech in which he threatened to take over land and animal sanctuaries still in the hands of whites.

Thousands of supporters sat in large white tents during the €900,000 ($1m) birthday celebration on a rolling golf course near the waterfalls, organised by his Zanu-PF party. His party has said the money was raised from individual and company donations.

Mugabe’s robust performance during the lavish party seemed designed to dispel any speculation that old age was slowing him down following a recent fall at Harare’s main airport.