After #MugabeFalls, people around the world start doing the #MugabeDance

When Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe stumbled and fell down a short flight of stairs, his security team reportedly immediately ordered local photographers to delete the images to save the ruler any embarrassment.

Read: Photographers 'forced to delete Mugabe stumble pictures'

But little did they realise the controversial leader was about to become an internet sensation, with social media networks lighting up with pictures of people recreating a curiously dance-like pose caught on camera mid-fall.

The image came from news agency The Associated Press, who, despite the deletion order, managed to keep hold of their footage and broadcast it around the world.

Posting under the hashtags #MugabeFalls and #MugabeDance, users - including many from other African nations such as Ghana and South Africa - bombarded social networking sites with their own take on the President's funky-looking moves.

Mugabe had just finished an address to supporters in Harare following his triumphant return from Ethiopia, where he was elected chairman of the 54-nation African Union on Friday.

But when he left the raised lectern, he appeared to miss a step and tumbled, landing on his hands and knees on the red carpet.

Watch the moment he fell: