News / National
Mphoko's Grade 3 grandson part of his 55-member delegation to Russia
03 Jun 2017 at 11:07hrs | Views
VICE-PRESIDENT Phelekezela Mphoko, currently in Russia on a working visit, reportedly took with him his grandson doing Grade Three as part of his 55-member delegation, NewsDay reported.
High-level sources told NewsDay this week that Mphoko, who State media reported would meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin, had in fact been invited by a trade fair company.
"Mphoko is in Russia at the invitation of that country's trade fair company and not the government of that country. This idea that he might have a chance to meet up with Putin is a creation of his supporters who would want to present him as having some sort of political gravitas," NewsDay heard.
"There has not been any communication from the Russians in that regard and the President's office here (Zimbabwe) has not been briefed on any possible engagement at that level."
It has also emerged that Mphoko took with him a large entourage including close relatives at the taxpayer's expense.
"He took with him no less than 55 people including his grandson, who was dragged out of school just to go on the trip," another source said on condition they are not identified.
It is understood that Mphoko was in Russia to attend the 21st St Petersburg Economic Forum where he is being accompanied by Mines minister Walter Chidakwa, his counterparts in Finance Patrick Chinamasa and Industry's Mike Bimha respectively.
Mphoko's wife Laurinda and Minister in his office Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga are also part of the delegation.
The VP is a former Zimbabwean envoy to Moscow.
Efforts to get comment from the Russian embassy in Harare were fruitless as with phones going unanswered.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba could also not be reached for comment yesterday.
High-level sources told NewsDay this week that Mphoko, who State media reported would meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin, had in fact been invited by a trade fair company.
"Mphoko is in Russia at the invitation of that country's trade fair company and not the government of that country. This idea that he might have a chance to meet up with Putin is a creation of his supporters who would want to present him as having some sort of political gravitas," NewsDay heard.
"There has not been any communication from the Russians in that regard and the President's office here (Zimbabwe) has not been briefed on any possible engagement at that level."
It has also emerged that Mphoko took with him a large entourage including close relatives at the taxpayer's expense.
It is understood that Mphoko was in Russia to attend the 21st St Petersburg Economic Forum where he is being accompanied by Mines minister Walter Chidakwa, his counterparts in Finance Patrick Chinamasa and Industry's Mike Bimha respectively.
Mphoko's wife Laurinda and Minister in his office Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga are also part of the delegation.
The VP is a former Zimbabwean envoy to Moscow.
Efforts to get comment from the Russian embassy in Harare were fruitless as with phones going unanswered.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba could also not be reached for comment yesterday.
Source - newsday
