News / National
'Mphoko is a Mozambican'
25 Apr 2018 at 16:29hrs | Views
FORMER Vice president Phelekezela Mphoko is a Mozambican who didn't understand Zanu PF's revolutionary ideology, says Midlands provincial affairs minister, Owen Ncube.
According to New Zimbabwe.com, Ncube said this last week during a road rehabilitation programme in Kwekwe.
The minister said former President Robert Mugabe was a Jonny-come-late to the liberation struggle whilst his former Mphoko was a Mozambican who didn't know the ideology of the ruling Zanu PF party which consequently led to his ouster from the presidium.
"The succession issue was very clear in Zanu-PF starting from the time of Herbet Chitepo to Ndabaningi Sithole and Robert Mugabe. It was no secret that after Mugabe, President Mnangagwa was a natural successor but he (Mugabe) allowed himself to be misled by his wife and wanted to leave the Presidency to his wife; we wouldn't allow that," he said.
"Mnangagwa joined the war in 1963 and was trained in countries such as China, Russia and Egypt. Mugabe only joined the war in 1975; so he joined the war later."
"In ZAPU there was Joshua Nkomo then Joseph Msika followed by John Landa Nkomo and this Mozambican Phelekezela Mphoko who didn't know the ideology of our revolutionary party," he said.
Mphoko, a former Zipra commander, lived in Mozambique during the later stages of the liberation struggle in the late 1970s. He married a Mozambican with former South African president Jacob Zuma being his best man. He was to become Zimbabwe's ambassador to Botswana and South Africa.
Ncube also said Vice President Constantino Chiwenga deserves his post in the presidium and cannot be removed or challenged by any cabinet minister.
"I was appointed to my position by President Mnangagwa and you cannot be appointed if you are not loyal," Ncube said, before adding, "I have to be content with my position and effectively discharge my duties. It is unbecoming of me to be seen eyeing the Vice President post and telling Chiwenga to pave way for me."
"The Vice President cannot be challenged or to be removed from his post by a mere cabinet minister. He deserves to be at that position and no-one can remove him. He is not going anywhere, he fought the liberation war."
Ncube, who always refers to himself as the youngest minister in Mnangagwa's government, said he cannot imagine himself rising to the presidium.
"I was born in ME Section (Mbizo) then to be seen nursing unbridled ambitions of becoming a Vice President how can that be?" he rhetorically asked.
According to New Zimbabwe.com, Ncube said this last week during a road rehabilitation programme in Kwekwe.
The minister said former President Robert Mugabe was a Jonny-come-late to the liberation struggle whilst his former Mphoko was a Mozambican who didn't know the ideology of the ruling Zanu PF party which consequently led to his ouster from the presidium.
"The succession issue was very clear in Zanu-PF starting from the time of Herbet Chitepo to Ndabaningi Sithole and Robert Mugabe. It was no secret that after Mugabe, President Mnangagwa was a natural successor but he (Mugabe) allowed himself to be misled by his wife and wanted to leave the Presidency to his wife; we wouldn't allow that," he said.
"Mnangagwa joined the war in 1963 and was trained in countries such as China, Russia and Egypt. Mugabe only joined the war in 1975; so he joined the war later."
"In ZAPU there was Joshua Nkomo then Joseph Msika followed by John Landa Nkomo and this Mozambican Phelekezela Mphoko who didn't know the ideology of our revolutionary party," he said.
Ncube also said Vice President Constantino Chiwenga deserves his post in the presidium and cannot be removed or challenged by any cabinet minister.
"I was appointed to my position by President Mnangagwa and you cannot be appointed if you are not loyal," Ncube said, before adding, "I have to be content with my position and effectively discharge my duties. It is unbecoming of me to be seen eyeing the Vice President post and telling Chiwenga to pave way for me."
"The Vice President cannot be challenged or to be removed from his post by a mere cabinet minister. He deserves to be at that position and no-one can remove him. He is not going anywhere, he fought the liberation war."
Ncube, who always refers to himself as the youngest minister in Mnangagwa's government, said he cannot imagine himself rising to the presidium.
"I was born in ME Section (Mbizo) then to be seen nursing unbridled ambitions of becoming a Vice President how can that be?" he rhetorically asked.
Source - newzimbabwe
