Obert Mpofu is an honest man says MDC-T minister

Mines and Mining Development deputy minister Gift Chimanikire (MDC-T) told guests to a function in Umguza that his boss Obert Mpofu is a very honest and hardworking man.

Chimanikire showered his boss Obert Mpofu with accolades during a function in Umguza, Matabeleland North.

Giving a vote of thanks after the launch of the Mining Industry Loan Fund in Mpofu's constituency, Chimanikire said his working relationship with the Zanu-PF MP was "one of the best, if not the best in the inclusive government."

"He is a hardworking and dedicated politician who has taught me that apart from being a politician, he is a businessman and a very honest man," Chimanikire said.

"As you know I come from the MDC-T and Mpofu comes from Zanu-PF, but if you get to our office, you will find us working in one spirit because we are giving service to our country, you won't tell that we come from two different parties and we put that aside and work."

Chimanikire, however, said the situation was different "when we go out to campaign for our respective parties".

Earlier, Mpofu had jokingly said MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai always made sure he appointed people of equal body stature to him as his deputy.

"First it was Murisi Zwizwai, that one we almost looked alike and many people mistook us for brothers," he said. "Zwizwai was changed and again, they selected someone of a similar body stature to mine though he is a bit younger than me."

MDC-T ministers have accused their Zanu-PF counterparts of not treating them as equals and sidelining them, especially when making key government decisions.