A Zimbabwe court fined a man $150 (120 euro) for joking that President Robert Mugabe had died, a daily newspaper reported Thursday.

Cleapas Manangazira, 34, was convicted for undermining the authority of the president in a court in central city Gweru.

Manangazira joked to police about Mugabe's death when the bus he was traveling in stopped at a tollgate on the road to Gweru, according to the privately-owned NewsDay.

"Why are you police officers sitting here. Don't you know the President is dead," prosecutors quoted Manangazira as saying.

"We are coming from putting a tombstone on Mugabe's grave. Did you hear me people? Mugabe is dead."

Bus drivers tried to silence him but the man went on joking about the long-time ruler.

The conductors then told the bus driver to take Manangazira to Gweru police station, where he was arrested.

Reports surface often on arrests for slandering Zimbabwe's long-time president and breaching the strict public order law.

Usually those found guilty receive light jail sentences or fines or are ordered to do community service.