Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure and Nqobile Bhebhe
National hero and former Vice President Phelekezela Report Mphoko will be buried in Bulawayo tomorrow in accordance with his family’s wishes.
He was 84.
His remains arrived in Zimbabwe from India on Thursday, accompanied by his wife Laurinda, children and other family members.
Cde Mphoko was declared a national hero in recognition of his contributions to the nation during the liberation struggle and after independence.
Yesterday, his body was airlifted from Manyame Airbase to Bulawayo ahead of burial tomorrow.
Speaking at a funeral parade which was attended by service chiefs and senior Government officials at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare yesterday, Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga described Cde Mphoko as an illustrious national hero who contributed immensely to the nation during the liberation struggle and after independence.
“We have lost one of the few surviving renowned commanders from the former Zimbabwe People’s Liberation Army, Zipra, a giant of the liberation struggle whose immense contribution to our independence is a legacy too bold, never to be forgotten or erased.
“To the bereaved Mphoko family, his spouse, the children, and the nation at large, may we all derive solace in the knowledge that his selfless contribution to his country and people will continue to inspire us and future generations,” he said.
Acting President Chiwenga said former VP Mphoko became actively involved in the country’s liberation movement as a youth in the 1960s.
Cde Mphoko, he said, was among the first youths to be dispatched for military training in the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics, with the likes of Comrades Akim Ndlovu, Ambrose Mutinhiri, and Charles Chikerema in 1964.
He was appointed Chief of Logistics in the 1st Military Command of the struggle in 1965, and was instrumental in the planning and execution of the Wankie and Sipolilo battles in 1967 and 1968 military operations.
In 1971, he became a member of the Joint Military Command, which was a joint Zipra-Zanla High Command formed in Mbeya, Tanganyika, now the mainland part of Tanzania.
In 1975, he was appointed Chief of Logistics of the Zimbabwe People’s Army (Zipa), a joint Zipra and Zanla force.
In 1976, he became Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) representative in Maputo, Mozambique, a post he held until Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980.
Dr Chiwenga said Cde Mphoko was part of the delegation that played a pivotal role in securing Zimbabwe’s independence during the 1979 Lancaster House Conference.
At independence, he was appointed to the demobilisation board of ex-combatants, and later several Government positions, including ambassadorial roles.
In his diplomatic career since 1987, he served with diligence as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Austria, Botswana, Russia, and South Africa.
Due to his diligence and acumen, he was appointed Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe in 2014, a position he held until 2017.
He was also in charge of the National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation portfolio where he worked relentlessly to promote national peace, reconciliation, and equitable development in the country.
“Our late former Vice President was also a successful businessman and a farmer, majoring in cattle ranching,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, described Cde Mphoko as an illustrious son of Zimbabwe.
“We are giving a befitting send-off to another son of the soil, the former Vice President Mphoko. He shall forever be remembered as a loyal, diligent and dedicated cadre whose contribution to Zimbabwe’s prosperity surpassed the test of time.
“As is the norm, we always follow the wishes of the family members and we were guided by the family that they would prefer to inter the remains in Bulawayo,” said Minister Kazembe.
Family representative and young brother, Mr Ndabezinhle Mphoko, hailed the Government for according his brother national hero status.
“The recognition will last for ever and ever. Our family is not in conflict in any way with the Government. We are taking his body to Bulawayo in accordance with my brother’s request,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF supporters in Harare led by youth league chairman Cde Emmanuel Mahachi bade farewell to the national hero.
They serenaded mourners by chanting revolutionary songs at Manyame Airbase as they bade farewell to the gallant son of the soil.
Cde Machachi said as party members, they appreciate the role played by Cde Mphoko during the liberation struggle and after Independence.
Cde Mphoko was born on June 11, 1940 in Gwizane, Bubi District, Matabeleland North. He attended David Livingstone Memorial School and Mzilikazi High School before studying at the Tsholotsho Agricultural Breeding and Experimental School.
Cde Mphoko’s political activism began early, and he was arrested in 1963 for political violence. He later received military training in the Soviet Union and played a crucial role in the liberation struggle.
He served in several capacities in Government after independence, including as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to several countries and as Vice President from December 2014 until November 2017.
Cde Mphoko is survived by his wife Laurinda, three children, as well as three grandchildren.
Yesterday, Cde Mphoko’s body was flown to Bulawayo by the Air Force of Zimbabwe from Harare, touching down at Joshua Nkomo International Airport at 2:42 pm.
Cde Mphoko’s casket, draped in the national flag, was carried to the waiting Doves Funeral Parlour hearse by members of the Zimbabwe National Army. Flags draping coffins boldly symbolise a nation’s profound appreciation and respect for its fallen heroes.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Paul Damasane, Politburo member Elifas Mashava, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to India Ms Stella Nkomo, service chiefs, Zanu PF provincial chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda, and other dignitaries received the body.
From the airport, Cde Mphoko’s body was taken to Doves Funeral Parlour, where a brief service was held at the chapel.
In an interview at the funeral parlour where the body was kept last night, the late national hero’s younger brother, Mr Ndabenzinhle Mphoko, thanked the Government for its support.
He said the national hero would be buried tomorrow at his Douglasdale farm.
“This is a very sad day for the Mphoko family, but this has been ameliorated by the Government support we received. We travelled very well from Harare. We had to reorganise the programme when the Government agreed that the body would be buried in Bulawayo.
“We had to re-adjust and carry out a ceremony in recognition of the national hero at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare. The Acting President, Dr Chiwenga, addressed us and expressed his condolences to the family and the nation.
“Tomorrow (today), we expect the body to be taken to his Douglasdale farm to lie in state ahead of burial on Sunday,” said Mr Mphoko.
In a condolence message, the John Landa Nkomo Memorial Trust said it was deeply saddened by the passing of Cde Mphoko, who took over the nation’s vice presidency from the late Vice President John Landa Nkomo.
It said the two national heroes closely worked together from the early days of the liberation struggle under Zapu, making huge sacrifices and exhibiting a deep passion to end colonialism.
“Their passion to serve the country continued after attaining independence as they fought for economic prosperity for the majority of Zimbabweans. The late VP Mphoko and the late VP Nkomo retained a close relationship throughout the struggle days, after independence, and right up until the passing of Cde John Landau Nkomo in 2013,” it noted.
Senior struggle stalwart, Senator Angeline Masuku, who is a trustee of the JL Nkomo Trust, said the late Vice President Nkomo and Cde Mphoko had a very close relationship from the days of the struggle, although few were aware of their bond.
She said it was befitting that President Mnangagwa bestowed the highest honour in the country of National Hero on Cde Mphoko, as he was deserving due to his commitment and sacrifices both before and after the liberation struggle.
“We respect him for the work he did during the country’s fight for liberation, and we got to know that he was not just committed to fighting against the settler regime but went beyond that, seeking economic emancipation for the people and battling against neo-colonialism.”
