Mugabe warns 'economic saboteurs,' on arrival from U.N. summit

Hundreds of Zimbabweans gathered at the Harare International Airport on Monday to welcome President Robert Mugabe back from New York.

The 93-year-old leader joined world leaders at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. He was welcomed on the tarmac by top government officials led by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa and officials of the ruling ZANU-PF.

Hundreds of supporters at the airport and others lining the streets waved flags as Mugabe arrived along with his wife Grace Mugabe and other members of his delegation.

#LiveUpdates VP Mnangagwa, Ministers &ZANUPF supporters line up 2 welcome President Mugabe TeamZanuPFLive TeamZim2018 CitizensZW UCoZim pic.twitter.com/B41H1jYltO

— Harare Post (@harare_post) September 25, 2017

Upon arrival, however, Mugabe took the opportunity to take a swipe at people he referred to as “saboteurs of the state” due to their activities that weakens the economy.

“Yes, price hikes would be dealt with in the next few days. Those hiking prices are saboteurs of the state,” Mugabe said.

There has been what the government says is an artificial shortage of basic commodities, a ploy for a section of people to benefit from the squeeze. Photos emerged of people queuing at fuel stations over the weekend.

The country has been suffering an economic crisis that forced the government to introduce bond notes equivalent to the United States dollars. The move which was opposed by political and civil society groups have done little to arrest the economic decline.

#Scenes from the Harare International Airport. Thousands of #ZANUPF supporters welcome Pres Mugabe TeamZanuPFLive Hon_Zhuwao Tajamuka pic.twitter.com/jgXkX05tgu

— Harare Post (harare_post) September 25, 2017

#Scenes frm Hre Intl Airport. Thousands of #ZANUPF supporters welcoming President Mugabe from #UNGA2017 #NewYork Hon_Kasukuwere Hon_Zhuwao pic.twitter.com/HDL5dCGAlT

— Harare Post (@harare_post) September 25, 2017