A 22-carat dictator: Robert Mugabe has gold coins minted to celebrate his 89th birthday in poverty-stricken Zimbabwe

• Four-tier cake made in his honour at Zimbabwe’s state house party
• Opposition accuses his party supporters of killing 12-year-old boy

Zimbabwe is one of the poorest country’s on Earth, but clearly despot Robert Mugabe doesn’t seem to care on his 89th birthday.

The president celebrated it by immortalising himself in freshly minted gold coins and held a lavish party with a giant cake.

Guests, including his wife, first lady Grace, tucked into the four-tier treat made in his honour at the state house before he gave a thank-you speech.

The celebration came amid accusations that Mugabe is losing his grip on a country he has ruled since coming to power in 1980 and resorting to violence.

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