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VP MPHOKO

From Lovemore Chikova in MAPUTO, Mozambique
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, who has been here since Sunday evening on a special mission assigned by President Mugabe, has in the past two days been interacting with embassy staff and touring their residence.

On Monday, VP Mphoko held his first meeting with the embassy staff, where he was briefed on various issues before he toured the building housing the embassy in central Maputo. He toured several staff residencies on the day before he continued with a similar tour yesterday.

VP Mphoko, who is here with his wife and some officials from his office, is being shown around by Zimbabwean ambassador to Mozambique Major General Nicholas Mahuhuba Dube, on the tour.

His visit will culminate in a courtesy call on Mozambican President Philipe Nyusi on Friday, where the two are expected to discuss several issues on relations between the two countries and how to enhance co-operation in various fields.

The courtesy call was discussed when President Nyusi visited Harare at the end of last month where he opened the Harare Agricultural Show.

Speaking about the tour, VP Mphoko said he would first brief President Mugabe about the visit before he could speak on his observations.

“I am in Mozambique on a special mission assigned by His Excellency the President,” said VP Mphoko in an interview.

“It’s a normal procedure that once you are sent on a special mission you do not disclose the findings until you report back.”

Zimbabwe and Mozambique share a vast border line with a lot of interaction between the two countries and their citizens.

The bond between the two countries grew during the liberation struggle when Mozambique offered rear bases for the liberation war fighters to launch attacks on the racist Ian Smith regime.

The late Mozambican President Samora Machel is held in high esteem in Zimbabwe because of his generosity and hospitality to the liberation war fighters.

Meanwhile, VP Mphoko has offered his condolences to the family of veteran nationalist Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu who died in Bulawayo yesterday.

He said Dr Ndlovu had seen it all from the days of the liberation struggle to the period after independence.

“We are very sorry that he has passed on,” said VP Mphoko. “With Cde Ndlovu we knew each other back in the 1960s and when he followed us to Zambia in the early days of the liberation struggle.

“He is one person who saw it all because he was back in the country during those early days. After independence he was a Cabinet minister and deputy minister. May his soul rest in peace.”