Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe falls down steps after greeting supporters

The Zimbabwe president tumbled down some steps from a podium at Harare Airport.

Robert Mugabe, Africa's oldest leader, was caught on camera toppling over after speaking to supporters - but his security personnel ordered photographers to delete their images.

Mugabe, who is 91 this month, was quickly helped to his feet by aides and escorted to his limousine, which sped away.

Mugabe appeared to miss a step and toppled when he left the raised lectern at the airport, according to several witnesses.

Mugabe’s spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

British politician Michael Gove might be wishing he could have pulled some strings after his little mishap too.

Mugabe was elected chairman of the 54-nation African Union at a summit of African leaders on January 30 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The role of rotating AU chairman is largely ceremonial.

He celebrates his 91st birthday on February 21. Mugabe takes annual vacations every January to Asia, including Singapore where he has visited specialists for check-ups on his eyes, according to Zimbabwean officials.

Zimbabwe, a once-prosperous nation of 13 million people in southern Africa, has struggled since Mugabe’s government began seizing white-owned farms in 2000.

Mugabe is accused of using widespread violence to win several disputed elections, according to human rights groups. The country suffered hyperinflation until it abandoned its currency for the US dollar in 2009.

The EU imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2002 over abuses linked to national elections, banning travel in Europe and freezing the assets of dozens of officials and business representatives.

The measures have been gradually lifted in recent years to encourage reform but Mugabe and his wife Grace remain on the EU blacklist.

Photos: foxsnews.com