Mugabe bash raises eyebrows

THE decision by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa Phelekezela Mphoko to sponsor President Robert Mugabe’s belated 90th birthday celebrations in Bulawayo last weekend has sparked claims he is campaigning for the vice-presidency.

THE decision by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa Phelekezela Mphoko to sponsor President Robert Mugabe’s belated 90th birthday celebrations in Bulawayo last weekend has sparked claims he is campaigning for the vice-presidency.

NDUDUZO TSHUMA STAFF REPORTER

But the former top Zipra commander said he made the donations out of goodwill saying his family had a history of supporting deserving causes within Bulawayo.

Mphoko, through Choppies supermarkets where he is executive chairman, donated a huge cake and food stuffs for Mugabe’s party held at Bulawayo’s Large City Hall on Saturday.

The former diplomat provided transport that picked up Zanu PF youths at various points for the celebrations.

Mphoko, who together with retired Brigadier Ambrose Mutinhiri are said to be the most senior surviving ex-Zipra commanders still in Zanu PF, has secured jobs for party youths and sponsored a youth conference this week as well as funding a number of projects within the party.

He said the interventions had nothing to do with jostling for posts in Zanu PF ahead of the party’s congress in December.

“Let us not mix things; assisting people has nothing to do with the (vice-presidency) race,” Mphoko said.

“If you remember; years back if you were a resident of Bulawayo, we as a family donated 10 dialysis machines to Mpilo Central Hospital.

“It was people who came to me to ask for help as Choppies where I am executive chairman and director.

“It does not mean that I want to stand for any position.”

The former Zipra commander denied holding meetings to rally support from war veterans last week.

“I am a war veteran. When I meet war veterans, we talk about many things from our days during the war because we have a lot in common,” he said.

“It is premature to talk about what you are saying now because nothing has been said to that effect.”

Zanu PF insiders had claimed Mphoko promised war veterans at one of the meetings that he would look after their interests if elevated to the vice-presidency.

“It is said that he told the war veterans that he was not looking for that post for prestige as he already had resources of his own, but would work for the people, including war veterans, that feel neglected,” a source said.

“Mphoko provided transport and a huge cake for the president’s belated celebrations.

“Everyone at the venue had a piece of the cake and some even took some slices home. Everyone was given fruit juice and soft drinks.”

The sources said Mphoko enjoys the support of some politburo members and the Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial executive.

“He has the backing of members of different arms of the provincial executive,” the source added.

“There are some who are behind him, but are scared to come out in the open for fear of reprisals.

“More than 200 youths have secured employment through Mphoko’s efforts and he is sponsoring a number of projects.

“His campaign is quiet, but it seems to have an impact on the grassroots. The other thing about Mphoko is that he does not belong to any faction and listens to people when they have problems.”

Mphoko has been touted as a contender for the Zanu PF vice-presidency although precedence favours national chairperson and Senior minister Simon Khaya Moyo.

Khaya Moyo on Monday refused to talk about the race for the vice-presidency saying he was not concerned about the fight for leadership positions in Zanu PF.