Mnangagwa Bunks Mphoko Burial – Eduzim News

By Farai D Hove | In a development stirring controversy across Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come under fire for failing to attend the burial of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, who was laid to rest in Matabeleland over the weekend.

Mphoko, who passed away in India, had served as Zimbabwe’s vice president alongside Mnangagwa during the late Robert Mugabe’s tenure. According to the constitution, Mphoko was next in line to take over the presidency following Mugabe’s resignation in 2017. However, the 2017 coup orchestrated by Mnangagwa and his allies saw both Mugabe and Mphoko violently sidelined, paving the way for Mnangagwa’s ascent to power.

Despite the historical and political significance of Mphoko’s passing, Mnangagwa’s absence at the burial has raised eyebrows, especially given the region’s political sensitivities and lingering tensions from the events of 2017.

Defending the president’s decision, presidential spokesperson George Charamba issued a statement:

“HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT, DR E D MNANGAGWA, HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PAY HIS LAST RESPECTS TO LATE VP MPHOKO BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF BURIAL PROCEEDINGS. MAY THE LATE FREEDOM FIGHTER REST IN ETERNAL PEACE”

Charamba’s statement has done little to quell public criticism, with many viewing Mnangagwa’s absence as a snub to Mphoko’s legacy and a continuation of the political rift that defined their tumultuous relationship.

A Troubled Legacy

Phelekezela Mphoko, a veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, found himself sidelined during the 2017 coup, despite being constitutionally positioned to succeed Mugabe. His subsequent years were marred by political isolation, with his legacy divided between his service in government and the controversies surrounding his role in ZANU-PF politics.

His burial in Matabeleland—an area long associated with political marginalization and the scars of the Gukurahundi atrocities—added another layer of significance to the president’s absence. Local leaders and commentators have noted that Mnangagwa’s decision not to attend risks deepening the perception of neglect and disregard for the region’s historical grievances.

Public Reaction

Social media and political commentators have been ablaze with speculation and criticism of Mnangagwa’s motives, with some suggesting his absence underscores unresolved tensions from the 2017 coup. Others view it as a missed opportunity to reconcile with Matabeleland and honor a figure who, despite their differences, shared the liberation struggle with him.

As Zimbabweans continue to reflect on the legacy of Phelekezela Mphoko, questions remain about how his death—and Mnangagwa’s apparent snub—will shape the ongoing narrative of the nation’s troubled political history.

Related