Phelekezela Mphoko
| Report Phelekezela Mphoko | |
|---|---|
Mphoko presenting credentials to Vladimir Putin (2006)
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| Vice President of Zimbabwe | |
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Assumed office 12 December 2014 |
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| President | Robert Mugabe |
| Preceded by | John Nkomo (2013) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
11 June 1940 Gwizane, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) |
| Political party | Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front |
| Spouse(s) | Laurinda Mphoko |
| Children | Siqokoqela Mphoko (son), Sikhumbuzo Mphoko (daughter), Siduduzo Mphoko (daughter) |
| Parents | Mahlwempu Mphoko and Muntu-omubi Mphoko |
| Religion | Seventh Day Adventist Church |
Phelekezela Mphoko is a Zimbabwean politician, diplomat, businessman and former military commander who has served as Vice-President of Zimbabwe since 2014. Previously he served as Ambassador to Russia, Ambassador to Botswana and Ambassador to South Africa.
His family reportedly owns 51% of Choppies Supermarkets Zimbabwe branch. His son Siqokoqela Mphoko serves as its Managing Director. The family also has shares in Motovac Zimbabwe where Siqokoqela is the Director and a farm in Bubi District.
He was the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army commander in charge of logistics during the Rhodesian Bush War, along with Alfred Nikita Mangena (political commissar), John Dube (deputy commissar), Enock Tschangane (deputy operations), Gordon Munyanyi (head security and intelligence), Ambrose Mutinhiri (head training), David Moyana (deputy political affairs) and Dr Augustus Mudzingwa (head medicine). Just before Zimbabwe obtained its independence, he was appointed as Zimbabwe African People's Union's Representative to Mozambique. During that time, Mphoko worked with Joe Modise, Jacob Zuma, whom he became very close to, and other top African National Congress brass. As a matter of fact Jacob Zuma, who at the time was in the ANC Intelligence, was best man at Mphoko's wedding in 1977, showing how strong their friendship was. His wife Laurinda, originally from Mozambique is said to be close to the Machel family.
Mphoko was trained in the then Soviet Union as a military strategist before returning to Rhodesia to join the armed struggle. In 1972, He was commander of Wankie Operations, when the Joint Command was formed with ANC's Umkhonto WeSizwe, which included Comrades Chris Hani, John Dube, and Joe Modise.
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