Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe is set to have lavish birthday celebrations this Saturday after his supporters raised more than $250,000 to fund it, according to reports from a state run newspaper.

Mugabe who has led the country for nearly three decades turned 85 on February 21.

Fund raising for the party comes as Mugabe's long-time rival, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, tries to raise $5bn in aid and investment to rebuild schools, hospitals and sewers after a decade of economic collapse.

On Friday The Herald newspaper reported that the fundraising committee had topped its $250,000 target for the celebration to be held in Chinhoyi, a town north of the capital Harare.

Now all is set for the event and we expect thousands of people to throng the venue and celebrate with us, committee treasurer Themba Mliswa was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month Mugabe formed a unity government with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai bringing an end to more than a year of political instability.

Tsvangirai will also be present at the birthday celebrations.

Zimbabwe