HARARE – Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo, taken ill in September, “is recuperating at home” and is “not in any danger”, his wife – a High Court judge – said on Wednesday.

The former army general who participated in a coup that ousted former President Robert Mugabe in November last year has been away from work since September 19.

But Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo insists that Moyo, who is reportedly suffering from a kidney ailment, is looking forward to returning to work soon.

The minister underwent a “small procedure” at the Avenues Clinic in Harare in September, and is continuing his recovery, the judge said.

She released a statement on behalf of the family after an online newspaper report “insinuating that the Honourable Minister has suffered deteriorating health.”

“Contrary to the said report, Dr SB Moyo is recuperating at home and recently attended a reunion event of St Augustine’s High School, a school where his wife is an alumni. It is our humble submission as a family that media organisations and individual journalists must always observe their ethical obligations and not only verify, but also be sensitive to the privacy of their subjects, especially on personal matters such as health,” Justice Matanda-Moyo said.

False media reporting was “causing unnecessary pain and anxiety, as well as despondency among loved ones and colleagues”, she said, adding: “We wish to reiterate that Dr SB is not in any danger and looks forward to resuming his official duties soon.”