Robert Mugabe birthday plans hit by lack of money Mr Mugabe's party will be at a shabby soccer field in Mutare, in eastern Zimbabwe, particularly hard hit by his destructive economic policies. Zanu PF youth leader, Absolom Sikhosana, 63, is "begging" businessmen for money to fund the birthday lunch of chicken stew, maize meal porridge and a giant cake. "Zanu PF is begging us for money but we haven't got any as every factory in Mutare is either closed or for sale," said a former industrialist. Maybe we will go to the party and try to get a free meal and watch the soccer afterwards. Anti Zanu PF groups say that the celebrations will be "lavish" but insiders predict the party will, as usual, be far more modest than advertised by Zanu PF's propaganda machinery with many "guests' going home unfed. Ahead of his birthday Tuesday Mr Mugabe told the pro Zanu PF Sunday Mail that elections would be held this year as he was not a "coward." He said money would be found for the poll even though he signed off the 2012 budget which made no provision for elections. Mr Mugabe previously pledged elections would be held last year. Mr Mugabe says he has no successor. All the people support that I stand. There is no one who can stand and win (in Zanu PF) at the moment. You have got to groom a candidate but not yet that will cause much more divisions within the party. After losing the last violent elections in 2008 Mr Mugabe signed up to an inclusive government with the Movement for Democratic Change to negotiate a new constitution ahead of fresh polls. Zanu PF rejected the first draft last week because it would prevent Mr Mugabe standing for re election because he is too old.