PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe flew to Asia for his annual holiday on Thursday where he will spend about three weeks with his family.

His spokesman George Charamba issued a sketchy statement only saying the 88-year-old leader was headed for the Far East.

Vice President Joice Mujuru will act in Mugabe’s stead, Charamba added.

Details of Mugabe’s schedule and destination were not released, but he told a local weekly on Sunday that he will likely spend his vacation in China.

“I am going to have a bit of a holiday and I am going to travel, possibly to China,” Mugabe said.

The Sunday Mail reported that the president “will also mark the beginning of 2013 by celebrating the academic achievements of Bona (his daughter) who is set to complete her Masters Degree in Accounting.”

Since he was slapped with Western sanctions over charges of gross human rights violations and electoral fraud, Mugabe has turned to the Far East and made Asia his primary vacationing destination.

He has also paid frequent visits, especially to Singapore, allegedly to receive treatment for advanced cancer.

But Mugabe and his surrogates have vehemently dismissed the reports insisting the veteran leader is in good health.

Mugabe’s leave may not board well for the constitution-making process which is currently deadlocked over a myriad of disagreements between Zanu PF and the MDC.

Even if they wanted to, Zanu PF negotiators can certainly not make any concessions to the MDC in his absence - at least judging by past experience.