VP Mphoko Considering Seeking Refuge In Zambia or Mozambique, Fears Arrest If He Returns

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is reported to be making plans to seek refuge in either Zambia or Mozambique. Mphoko is afraid that he will be arrested if he returns home, as he is wanted on charges of obstruction of justice and corruption. Some of the charges stem from the time when Mphoko stormed a police station and ordered the release of then Zinara acting chief executive officer Engineer Moses Juma and board chairman Davison Norupiri who had been arrested on allegations of abuse of office and fraud.  Mphoko argued that their arrest was not justifiable.

Mphoko is still in Japan, where he was when the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) seized power in a military takeover a week ago. Mphoko was supposed to have returned on Friday, but because of his fear, he is still in Japan. He is reported to have told the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), which is handling his travel arrangments, that he now wants his tickets changed so that he can land in either Zambia or Mocambique. Mphoko’s family is reported to have left the country already for Botswana, where Mphoko has business interests.