Zimbabwean Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa dismissed reports that he ate ice cream from dairy owned by President Robert Mugabe, shortly before his sudden illness earlier this month.
"The insinuation that I partook of an ice cream from the said dairy [Gushungo Dairy] is false and mischievous, and being peddled by unscrupulous elements with the sinister agenda of creating a rift between me and the First family… ," Mnangagwa said in a statement.
After allegedly being suffered with food poison at a rally held on August 12, Mnangagwa was airlifted to hospital in Gweru and subsequently to South Africa.
Allegations were made by close allies including his son that Mnangagwa consumed an ice cream from the Gushungo Dairy whilst at the rally, leading to him vomiting.
He had severe diarrhea too, according to Health Minister David Parirenyatwa.
The poisoning allegations triggered some serious panic and rift within government.
Information Minister Christopher Mushowe issued a statement, saying the vice president fell ill after consuming stale food.
Mnangagwa's statement did not dispute the reports that he was poisoned but simply exonerated Mugabe and his dairy products.
Meanwhile, Vice President's aide Energy Mutodi is currently facing criminal charges after he posted a statement on Facebook, alleging that his boss was poisoned by Defense Minister Sydney Sekeramayi or Health Minister David Parirenyatwa.
"They were together in a chopper on their way to Pelandaba Stadium and they ate grapes and samosas, brought by Sydney Sekeramayi," Mutodi alleged.
