Story by Memory Chamisa
The body of former Vice President Cde Phelekezela Mphoko arrived in the country this Thursday evening from India where he died while receiving treatment.
The body’s arrival saw President Emmerson Mnangagwa console the widow of the former Vice President, Mrs Laurinda Mphoko and her family at the Robert Mugabe International Airport.
Government Ministers and Service Chiefs were also present to receive the body of the late National Hero.
ZANU-PF National Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha described Cde Mphoko as a liberation stalwart who served his country selflessly.
“The nation has lost a great cadre who served his country with pride and honor. The late former Vice President was a man who committed himself to serving his country which he put first before his own country. The loss it’s not only to his family alone but to the country as well. He was a delegate at the 1979 Lancaster House Conference that determined conditions for Zimbabwe’s eventual independence in 1980. He was part of late Vice President Joshua Nkomo’s ZAPU delegation,” he ssaid.
Director Strategic Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Mr Mike Masaka gave an update of the programme.
“The body is to lie in state at the One Commando Barracks and will be flown to Bulawayo tomorrow. From there we will advise of the proceedings to follow on the burial and place,” he noted
Cde Mphoko was unanimously declared a National Hero in recognition of his illustrious service to the country before and after independence.
The former Vice President is survived by his wife Laurinda, three children and three grandchildren.
