In December 2017, we learnt that Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe was in Singapore for a health check.

Apparently, it was the first time the 93-year-old was seen in public since the army forced him from office in November 2017.

Mugabe had ruled the southern African nation for 37 years.

Mugabe's retirement package

AFP reported in Dec. 28, 2017 that Mugabe will be given a residence, a car fleet and private air travel as part of a new government-funded retirement package.

He was also entitled to at least 20 staff members, including six personal security guards, all paid for by the government.

Mugabe gives entourage a new meaning

Unfortunately, 20 staff members were insufficient for Mugabe's trip to Singapore.

Zimbabwe’s new president Emmerson Mnangagwa told The Financial Times (Jan. 19) that he had an awkward conversation with Mugabe, as he was asked to sign off on the 38-member passenger list for a state-funded flight to Singapore.

At the end of the 30-minute phone call, Mnangagwa, 75, asked:

"Chef, you are going for a medical check-up. Why do you want 38 people?"

Mugabe replied and told him that he didn't know that list -- he only know that "it’s myself, my wife and my family".

In the end, poor Mugabe had to reduce his 38-member entourage.

He took a 767 to Singapore and back for just 22 people.

Top photo from Ting Wei Toh, AFP, Getty Images