Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed his condolences on the death of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko. Mphoko passed away at the age of 84 in India, where he had been living.
Mnangagwa said that Mphoko's appointment as Vice President in 2014 was a well-deserved recognition of his long service and sacrifices as a veteran of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.
A logistics expert trained in the Soviet Union and elsewhere, Mphoko played a crucial role supplying the liberation forces and later served in the Zimbabwe African People's Union's Maputo liaison department. Following his government service, he remained active in the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU PF), supporting their 2023 election victory.
“In recognition of his meritorious role of service to his country, both before and after Independence, the ZANU PF Politburo has unanimously decided and agreed to celebrate and immortalise his life of sacrifice by according him the Status of national hero. May his dear soul rest in eternal peace,” Mnangagwa said.
Mphoko served as Vice President under Robert Mugabe from 2014 to 2017.