Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace attended the 21st Movement Celebrations to mark his 93rd birthday celebrations at Matopos National Park in Mateleland South, Zimbabwe, Feb. 25, 2017. (Xinhua/Stringer)

HARARE, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe left for Singapore on Monday for a routine medical check-up, his spokesperson George Charamba has said.

Charamba was quoted by the state media Thursday as saying that the president was expected back in the country next Monday.

The visit came a few days after Mugabe celebrated his 93rd birthday on Feb. 21 and vowed that he would continue as leader of the country.

He has since been confirmed by his Zanu-PF party as its presidential candidate for the 2018 elections when he will be 94.

His party, however, is reportedly riddled with infighting by factions vying to succeed him, one reportedly led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and another by a group of young leaders known as G40.

Mugabe has routinely visited Singapore for medical check-ups, with officials saying he suffers from eye cataract although some speculate that he suffers from prostate cancer.