HARARE: Former president Robert Mugabe flew to Singapore for medical check-ups, local sources reported.

The former Zimbabwe strongman “slipped out of the country a fortnight ago after his blood pressure suddenly rose to dangerous levels”, sources told a local paper.

But another unidentified person who confirmed the trip, told the paper that “it’s nothing serious. It is the usual check-ups and this one, in particular was scheduled”.

Mugabe left the country with his family, the source said.

The first source also added that Mugabe had “trouble with his eye, which previously has been diagnosed with a cataract”.

Family members and government officials did not comment on the matter.