Johannesburg - President Robert Mugabe was back in Zimbabwe on Monday following a brief holiday abroad, state-media reported.

The Herald newspaper quoted a presidential spokesman as saying the embattled 84-year-old leader was back from the Far East but "still on leave" and Vice President Joice Mujuru was acting president.

Mugabe drew criticism for taking his traditional annual month's leave despite the failure to implement a deal for power-sharing with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

Media reports in neighbouring South Africa on the weekend said Mugabe was on vacation in Malaysia, along with his wife and their four children.

Grace Mugabe had reportedly organized a transfer of 92,000 dollars from Zimbabwe's central bank before she took the children to Malaysia before Christmas. (dpa)