Much of the coverage of the story in Zimbabwe has chosen to highlight that the president is not going abroad for his break.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga will be the acting president for the first half of the president's leave, then his counterpart Kembo Mohadi will take over.

Mr Chiwenga is reportedly away in China, according to privately owned Newsday newspaper.

A statement by President Mnangagwa's secretary, George Charamba, said the president would be on annual leave till end of January.

"The president will spend his vacation in the country," he wrote.