Mugabe: Cholera Outbreak Has Been 'Arrested'

But 16,000 cases of disease contradict Zimbabwe's president

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 11, 2008 8:47 AM CST

(Newser) – As the cholera epidemic worsened in Zimbabwe, with more than 16,000 people infected and thousands trying to flee to South Africa, Robert Mugabe said today that the disease had been "arrested." The president used a television appearance to lash out at a supposed western invasion of Zimbabwe, adding, "Now that there is no cholera there is no case for war." But only hours earlier, South African officials declared the border with Zimbabwe a "disaster zone."

Zimbabwe's government spokesmen have insisted that the West is using the cholera outbreak—which is spreading as far as Mozambique, Zambia, and Botswana—to oust the longtime ruler. But the country's health care system has collapsed along with the economy, with inflation so high that prices double every other day. Mugabe remains locked in a power-sharing struggle with Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader who won this year's elections, and has resisted calls to resign.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and wife Grace stand together at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

President Robert Mugabe delivers a speech at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Thursday, Dec, 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

A woman with her baby wait to get water from a water point in Glen View, Harare, Zimbabwe Monday, Dec. 8, 2008. A cholera outbreak is claiming thousands of live due to the poor state of health care. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

A young boy carries a container to fetch water in Mutare, Zimbabwe. South Africa is sending more military doctors to treat Zimbabwean cholera victims, underlining fears of a regional disease outbreak. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

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Now that there is no cholera, there is no need for war. Shall we also say that because there is mad cow disease, there must be war, Britain must be invaded? Mr. Brown, your head must go for some medical correction. - Robert Mugabe

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Mugabe: Cholera Outbreak Has Been 'Arrested'