Phelekezela Mphoko
Mphoko – a Grace Mugabe ally – lost his job after the new administration led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa took over following the resignation of ex-president Robert Mugabe in November.
Mphoko was the second deputy appointed in 2014 by Mugabe, along with current president Mnangagwa.
According to AFP, Mphoko had flown to Japan on official business the day before the army took over the country in an operation that culminated in Mugabe’s ouster.
But instead of returning home at the end of his mission, Mphoko sought sanctuary in Botswana.
Mphoko, however, eventually returned home a few days later and after some time, reportedly demanded an exit package, the state owned Herald newspaper reported.
State security
Another Herald report indicated that Mphoko’s demand came after Mnangagwa officially gazetted Mugabe’s exit package, which included first class air travel on four foreign trips per year; private houses and a veritable army of aides and domestic staff.
The privately-owned NewsDay newspaper quoted the former deputy president’s lawyer, Welshman Ncube, as saying that his client was still receiving state security aides and government vehicles, but he was yet to receive his monthly benefits.
The country’s constitution, section 102 stipulates that “the president or the deputy president are entitled to receive a pension equivalent to the salary of a sitting president, as the case may be; and such allowances and other benefits as may be prescribed under an act of parliament.”
Post published in: Featured