Mphoko disowns gukurahundi

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has denied persistent charges by his critics that he participated in the massacre of an estimates 20,000 innocent civilians in the early 1980s, mainly in Matebeleland and the Midlands, during the infamous Gukurahandi offensive in the region by the army.

Mphoko told scores of Zanu-PF supporters gathered at Bulawayo's Davis Hall yesterday that his hands were clean.

The VP, who was on his maiden "Meet the People" tour in the second, said allegation that he was a member of the CIO during the Gukurahundi era were both "disturbing and malicious".

"There is a woman called Nomazulu Thatha, I think she is based in the UK. She has really given me a torrid time. She alleges that I joined the CIO in 1980. I am not a lair, in my entire, I have killed no one. I repeat no one was killed by these hands," Mphoko said, displaying his palms.

The VP said he was a God fearing Christian who would not dare end someone's life. Mphoko briefly narrated his history until 1987 when he was attested into the CIO.

"When I joined the CIO, I joined as a diplomat. Back then in 1987 in the CIO there were many branches of which I fell under the Diplomats Branch," he said.

Later in the meeting he took a swipe at those who accuse him of being a traitor, after he jumped ship from Zapu to Zanu.