'I never joined the CIO' says VP Mphoko

VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday dismissed reports that he once worked for the Central Intelligence Organisation during the early 1980s, saying such claims were being peddled by people with their own agendas.

Addressing Zanu-PF members and the Bulawayo community yesterday during a "Meet the people tour", VP Mphoko said in 1980 he was engaged by Government as deputy director in the Ministry of Labour.

"All these allegations are not true. I never joined the CIO and I don't know where such allegations are coming from. In 1980 I was hired by the Government as a deputy director in the Ministry of Labour," said VP Mphoko.

"If people want to label you a prostitute or a thief, you can't stop them from doing so, even if you're not one, but no matter how people try to campaign against me, it will never work. I want to let people know today that all these allegations are not true."

Thomas Ngwenya, a retired colonel who once served as VP Mphoko's deputy in the logistics department in Zipra, is among the people who have alleged that the VP abandoned the Nikita Mangena-led guerrilla outfit during the war of independence and joined the CIO.

Surprisingly, the same Ngwenya claims he does not know Vice President Mphoko well.

"I'm shocked that Thomas Ngwenya is claiming that he doesn't know me, yet he, together with Tshinga Dube and Andrew Mpala, went to my house to console my wife when I was arrested in 1985," said VP Mphoko.

Zapu president Dumiso Dabengwa also accused Mphoko of being a "sell-out" who deserted the late Joshua Nkomo and the Zapu party before independence.

Dabengwa's claims angered Government officials and war veterans, who have described the Zapu leader as a liar who was motivated by jealousy.

Vice President Mphoko said he would not be detracted by people making unfounded allegations against him.

He also castigated people who accused him of "boot-licking" President Mugabe and said party members had a way of respecting one another.

"I'm surprised when people say I'm boot-licking the President. In the Zanu-PF party, it's a tradition to respect and appreciate one another.

"Everybody deserves to be respected and everybody is obligated to show respect to fellow party members and leaders," said VP Mphoko.

Mphoko, who said unity between Zanu-PF and PF Zapu did not start after Independence but it started in 1972 and members from PF Zapu and Zanu-PF regarded each other as comrades in the armed struggled, emphasised the need to revive the party's structures throughout the country.

Turning to challenges facing Bulawayo, VP Mphoko said there was an urgent need to revive the city industries to create employment and boost economic growth.

Mphoko's series of meetings, which were meant to discuss critical issues affecting Bulawayo and map a way forward, were held at Davies Hall, Masotsha Ndlovu High School in Magwegwe, African Methodist Church in Mpopoma and Patsika Church in Nkulumane.