News / National
Where is Mphoko?
03 Dec 2017 at 08:35hrs | Views
Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko who arrived in the country on Friday through Plumtree Border Post amid reports that he might have been detained upon his entry in the country from Botswana.
Former Higher and Tertiary Education minister, Jonathan Moyo, alleged yesterday that Mphoko had been handed to the Zimbabwean authorities by his hosts, the Government of Botswana.
Mphoko was the second deputy appointed in 2014 by longtime strongman Mugabe, along with current President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mphoko had flown to Japan on official business the day before the army took over the country in an operation that culminated in Mugabe's ouster after a 37-year rule.
But instead of returning home at the end of his mission, Mphoko sought sanctuary in Botswana, where he remained until Friday.
"Mr Mphoko and his family arrived at the Zimbabwean side of the border at 1:15 pm (1115 GMT) aboard a Zimbabwe department of immigration minibus accompanied by Botswana immigration officials," The Herald newspaper reported.
He was with his wife Laurinda, son Siqokoqela and seven other family members, the paper added.
According to The Herald, Mphoko spoke to Mnangagwa by phone and got "the necessary assurances that he was free to come back to Zimbabwe".
The former vice president and longtime diplomat - less well-known in the country than popular Mnangagwa - was reportedly a member of a faction in the ruling Zanu-PF which rallied behind Mugabe's wife Grace and backed her bid to replace her husband as president.
They were reportedly expelled from the party for "engaging in activities meant to destabilise the Government".
Former Higher and Tertiary Education minister, Jonathan Moyo, alleged yesterday that Mphoko had been handed to the Zimbabwean authorities by his hosts, the Government of Botswana.
Mphoko was the second deputy appointed in 2014 by longtime strongman Mugabe, along with current President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mphoko had flown to Japan on official business the day before the army took over the country in an operation that culminated in Mugabe's ouster after a 37-year rule.
But instead of returning home at the end of his mission, Mphoko sought sanctuary in Botswana, where he remained until Friday.
"Mr Mphoko and his family arrived at the Zimbabwean side of the border at 1:15 pm (1115 GMT) aboard a Zimbabwe department of immigration minibus accompanied by Botswana immigration officials," The Herald newspaper reported.
He was with his wife Laurinda, son Siqokoqela and seven other family members, the paper added.
According to The Herald, Mphoko spoke to Mnangagwa by phone and got "the necessary assurances that he was free to come back to Zimbabwe".
The former vice president and longtime diplomat - less well-known in the country than popular Mnangagwa - was reportedly a member of a faction in the ruling Zanu-PF which rallied behind Mugabe's wife Grace and backed her bid to replace her husband as president.
They were reportedly expelled from the party for "engaging in activities meant to destabilise the Government".
Source - online
