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Chiwenga gives glowing eulogy for Mphoko
10 Dec 2024 at 07:10hrs | Views
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has expressed profound sorrow following the passing of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, who died in India on Friday. Mphoko, a distinguished liberation war veteran and former diplomat, has been posthumously declared a national hero by the ruling Zanu-PF Politburo.
In a statement released by the Department of Presidential Communications, Vice President Chiwenga described Mphoko as a "giant of the liberation struggle" whose immense contribution to Zimbabwe's independence would remain an indelible legacy.
Mphoko, whose liberation war name was Report, became involved in the country's bush war at a young age during the 1960s. He was among the first youths to be sent for military training in the Soviet Union in 1964, alongside other notable figures such as Comrades Ackim Ndlovu, Ambrose Mutinhiri, and Charles Chikerema.
"In the late Comrade Report Phelekezela Mphoko, we have lost one of the few surviving renowned commanders from the former Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA). We have lost a resolute giant of the liberation struggle whose immense contribution to our independence is a legacy too bold to be forgotten or erased," Chiwenga said in his tribute.
He extended condolences to Mphoko's family, emphasizing that the former Vice President's selfless contributions to the nation would continue to inspire future generations.
Chiwenga reflected on his first meeting with Mphoko in 1973 in Zambia, describing him as one of the pioneering stalwarts of the liberation struggle. Mphoko was part of the delegation that played a pivotal role in securing Zimbabwe's Independence terms during the 1979 Lancaster House Conference.
Mphoko's military career was marked by significant achievements. He was appointed chief of logistics in ZAPU's first military command in 1965, and played a key role in the planning and execution of the Wankie-Sipolilo military operations. In 1971, he became a member of the Joint Military Command, which was a collaboration between ZIPRA and ZANLA forces, and in 1975, he was appointed chief of logistics for the Zimbabwe People's Army (ZIPA), a joint ZIPRA/ZANLA force.
In 1976, Mphoko was appointed the ZAPU representative in Maputo, Mozambique, a position he held until Zimbabwe's Independence in 1980. After Independence, he served on the Demobilisation Board for ex-combatants and held various government positions, including ambassadorial roles.
Chiwenga praised Mphoko's exemplary diplomatic service, noting his tenure as Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Mozambique, Austria, Botswana, Russia, and South Africa. In 2014, Mphoko was appointed Vice President of Zimbabwe, a position he held until 2017. During this time, he was responsible for the National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation portfolio, working to promote national peace, reconciliation, and equitable development across the country.
Beyond politics, Mphoko was also a successful businessman and farmer, with interests in Choppies supermarket and cattle ranching.
The Vice President concluded his tribute by stating that Mphoko's life of service to the nation would forever be remembered, and his contributions would continue to inspire Zimbabweans in the pursuit of unity, peace, and prosperity.
In a statement released by the Department of Presidential Communications, Vice President Chiwenga described Mphoko as a "giant of the liberation struggle" whose immense contribution to Zimbabwe's independence would remain an indelible legacy.
Mphoko, whose liberation war name was Report, became involved in the country's bush war at a young age during the 1960s. He was among the first youths to be sent for military training in the Soviet Union in 1964, alongside other notable figures such as Comrades Ackim Ndlovu, Ambrose Mutinhiri, and Charles Chikerema.
"In the late Comrade Report Phelekezela Mphoko, we have lost one of the few surviving renowned commanders from the former Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA). We have lost a resolute giant of the liberation struggle whose immense contribution to our independence is a legacy too bold to be forgotten or erased," Chiwenga said in his tribute.
He extended condolences to Mphoko's family, emphasizing that the former Vice President's selfless contributions to the nation would continue to inspire future generations.
Mphoko's military career was marked by significant achievements. He was appointed chief of logistics in ZAPU's first military command in 1965, and played a key role in the planning and execution of the Wankie-Sipolilo military operations. In 1971, he became a member of the Joint Military Command, which was a collaboration between ZIPRA and ZANLA forces, and in 1975, he was appointed chief of logistics for the Zimbabwe People's Army (ZIPA), a joint ZIPRA/ZANLA force.
In 1976, Mphoko was appointed the ZAPU representative in Maputo, Mozambique, a position he held until Zimbabwe's Independence in 1980. After Independence, he served on the Demobilisation Board for ex-combatants and held various government positions, including ambassadorial roles.
Chiwenga praised Mphoko's exemplary diplomatic service, noting his tenure as Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Mozambique, Austria, Botswana, Russia, and South Africa. In 2014, Mphoko was appointed Vice President of Zimbabwe, a position he held until 2017. During this time, he was responsible for the National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation portfolio, working to promote national peace, reconciliation, and equitable development across the country.
Beyond politics, Mphoko was also a successful businessman and farmer, with interests in Choppies supermarket and cattle ranching.
The Vice President concluded his tribute by stating that Mphoko's life of service to the nation would forever be remembered, and his contributions would continue to inspire Zimbabweans in the pursuit of unity, peace, and prosperity.
Source - NewZimbabwe
