Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has died aged 84, presidency spokesman George Charamba has confirmed.
Phelekezela Mphoko (born 11 June 1940) was a prominent Zimbabwean figure, known for his diverse roles as a politician, diplomat, businessman, and former military commander. He served as Zimbabwe’s Second Vice-President from 2014 to 2017 and held key diplomatic posts as ambassador to Russia, Botswana, and South Africa.
Notably, Mphoko was legally designated as the acting President of Zimbabwe from 21 to 24 November 2017. However, as he was outside the country during this period, the interpretation of his acting presidency remains ambiguous. His tenure as Vice-President concluded on 27 November 2017 when President Emmerson Mnangagwa dissolved the cabinet.
