'Mugabe must evict Mphoko from Rainbow Towers Hotel'

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has challenged President Robert Mugabe to "evict" his deputy Phelekezela Mphoko from Harare's Rainbow Towers Hotel where he is staying since his appointment in December 2014.

In a statement Thursday, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition said Mphoko's continued stay in the expensive hotel is unwarranted and needlessly a bleeding government's sparse coffers.

"As CIZC, we challenge President Robert Mugabe, as the appointing authority, to do the honorable thing of whip his subordinate into line if the sentiments that 'Zanu-PF is a party of the people' are anything to go by," said the civil society.

The Coalition said government should rather use the money paid for Mphoko's hotel accommodation to buy maize for millions of starving Zimbabweans.

Crisis added: "We implore VP Mphoko to show his integrity by doing the noble thing of moving into a government house so that not much of the taxpayers' money is spent to sustain his extravagant lifestyle."