Phelekezela Mphoko

Phelekezela Mphoko
Mphoko in 2006
Acting President of Zimbabwe
In office 21 November – 24 November 2017
Preceded by	Robert Mugabe
Succeeded by	Emmerson Mnangagwa
Second Vice-President of Zimbabwe
In office 12 December 2014[1] – 27 November 2017[2]
President	Robert Mugabe
Preceded by	John Nkomo
Succeeded by	Kembo Mohadi
Ambassador of Zimbabwe
In office 1987–2014
Personal details
Born	(1940-06-11)11 June 1940 Gwizane, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
Died	6 December 2024 (aged 84) India
Political party	ZANU–PF (until 2017) Independent (2017–2022) ZANU–PF (2023–2024)
Spouse	Laurinda Mphoko
Children	Siqokoqela (son) Sikhumbuzo (daughter) Siduduzo (daughter)
Parent(s)	Mahlwempu Mphoko Muntu-omubi Mphoko

Phelekezela Mphoko (11 June 1940 – 6 December 2024) was a Zimbabwean politician, diplomat, businessman and military commander who served as Second Vice-President of Zimbabwe from 2014 until 2017, as well as Zimbabwe's ambassador to Russia, Botswana and South Africa. Legally, Mphoko was the acting President of Zimbabwe from 21 to 24 November 2017, however, as he was not in the country at the time, his official standing on this is unclear.^[3][4][5][6] Mphoko's term as vice-president was ended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa following the dissolution of the cabinet on 27 November 2017.^[7]

Life and career

Cde Mphoko attended David Livingstone Memorial School and Mzilikazi High School, before studying at the Tshototsho Agricultural Breeding and Experimental School. His involvement in political activism began at a young age, leading to his arrest in 1963 for participation in political violence. Subsequently, he received military training in the Soviet Union, where he became an influential figure in the Zimbabwean liberation struggle.^[8]

Mphoko served as Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Botswana and Russia before being transferred to Pretoria as Ambassador to South Africa.^[9][10][11]

On 10 December 2014, President Mugabe finally appointed Mphoko as Vice-President, alongside Emmerson Mnangagwa (who represented the ZANU wing of the party).^[12] Mugabe also assigned Mphoko the ministerial portfolio of National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation.^[13][14] He was sworn in as Vice-President on 12 December 2014.^[15] On 6 July 2015, Mugabe assigned Mphoko responsibility for coordination and implementation of policy.^[16]

Death

Mphoko died in India on 6 December 2024, at the age of 84. He was the country's oldest surviving former Vice President at the time of his death.^[17]

References

1. "Zimbabwe's Constitution of 2013" (PDF). constituteproject.org. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
2. "President dissolves Cabinet".
3. eDuzeNet. "Mphoko is the Acting President for now." Bulawayo24 News. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
4. "Experts clear the air on succession". The Herald. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
5. "Zimbabwe has 'phantom-like' acting president". News24. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
6. "Where is Mphoko, legally the acting President?". The Zimbabwe Mail. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
7. "President dissolves Cabinet". The Herald. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
8. Madzimure, Jospeh (13 December 2024). "Hero Mphoko body arrives". The Herald. Archived from the original on 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
9. Staff (24 July 2010). "Gukurahundi storm envoy posted to SA". New Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
10. Список руководителей дипломатических и консульских представительств зарубежных государств в России (in Russian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia). Retrieved 5 July 2008.
11. Staff (3 February 2011). "SA accepts Ambassador Mphoko". The Herald. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
12. MacDonald Dzirutwe, "Zimbabwe's Mugabe names 'The Crocodile' Mnangagwa as deputy", Reuters, 10 December 2014.
13. "Mugabe names new cabinet ministers", New Zimbabwe, 11 December 2014.
14. "President unveils new ministers", The Herald, 12 December 2014.
15. "Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa sworn into office, leads race to succeed Mugabe", Reuters, 12 December 2014.
16. "Chombo, Moyo, Tyson reassigned", The Herald, 7 July 2015.
17. "Former Zimbabwean Vice President Mphoko Dies at 84". The Zimbabwe Mail. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.