Man held over Mugabe balloon remark

Police have reportedly arrested a carpenter who questioned whether Zimbabwe’s president still had the strength to blow up balloons at his 88th birthday celebrations.

The carpenter was arrested after watching Saturday’s celebrations on television in a bar.

The independent Lawyers for Human Rights says the man has been charged under laws making it an offence to insult President Robert Mugabe and is to reappear in court on March 12 to face a fine.

Loyalists of Mugabe alleged they overheard the carpenter referring to Mugabe’s ailing health and doubting he could inflate a balloon.