NewZimbabwe.com
24th November 2017
OPPOSITION Senator David Coltart has said that Zimbabwe’s “president” at large Phelekezela Mphoko has made history, describing him as the only president in the world who never visited the country he led until leaving office.
Mphoko, a key G40 member, was reportedly in Japan last Wednesday when the military launched its so-called Operation Restore Legacy aimed at rooting out the ruling Zanu PF party of criminals said the be causing socio-economic and political havoc in the country.
The “criminals” were claimed to have captured then president Robert Mugabe who dramatically resigned this Tuesday following intense pressure from the military and his own Zanu PF colleagues.
The military vowed to arrest the “criminals” and bring them to justice. Mphoko was thought to be among those targeted by the military operation.
However, legal experts the vice president has technically been acting head of state following Mugabe’s resignation but he has not been seen or heard from since last week’s bloodless coup.
Quipped Coltart on Twitter; “Meanwhile back at the ranch, acting President Mphoko of Zimbabwe looks to go down in history as the only president of a country never to set foot in his country for his entire tenure of office.”
Mphoko was re-called by Zanu PF last Sunday together with Mugabe, his wife Grace and 18 other officials as the ruling party’s succession war came to a head.
According to the local media, the vice president, who was scheduled to return home this Friday, altered his itinerary to land in Mozambique fearing he might be arrested in Harare.
Meanwhile, former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa will be inaugurated Friday as country’s new leader, taking over from Mugabe whose 37-year reign ended in disgrace this Tuesday.
The veteran leader resigned after legislators moved to impeach him.