Central bank chief Gideon Gono made the claims in remarks to James McGee in June 2008 – when Zimbabwe was mired in election violence following Mugabe’s loss to then opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the first round of polls in March.
The allegations will embarrass the ZANU-PF side of Zimbabwe’s fragile power-sharing administration, signed by both Mugabe and Tsvangirai in September 2008.
Despite frequent speculation fuelled by Mugabe’s trips to Asia, top ZANU-PF officials refuse to admit that Mugabe, 87, has a health problem.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba said the five trips made this year by Zimbabwe’s first couple had been necessitated by a cataract operation Mugabe had in January and by back injuries Grace sustained falling in the couple’s Harare mansion.
“President Robert Mugabe has prostate cancer that has metastasised and, according to doctors, will cause his death in three to five years,” according to Wikileaks documents made available in Harare on Sunday.
“Mugabe’s doctor … recommended he cut back on his activities,” the documents say.
In an unexpected move, Zimbabwe’s Sunday Mail – which is closely controlled by ZANU-PF – also reported on the leaked cable in an apparent sign of deepening rifts within the former guerrilla party as rival factions battle for control.
Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since 1980.
Gono has denied ever making the statements, online reports from Zimbabwe say.