The late former Vice President of Zimbabwe, Phelekezela Mphoko, will be laid to rest at his homestead on Sunday, his family has confirmed.
Mphoko, who passed away last Friday in India while seeking medical treatment, was declared a national hero by the government. Although he was initially expected to be buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, his family insisted on honouring his wish to be interred at his home.
His remains arrived in Bulawayo on Friday afternoon aboard a military aircraft. Accompanying the body were his widow Laurinda Mphoko, their two daughters, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to India Stella Nkomo, and other close family members.
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Speaking to the media, family spokesperson Ndabezinhle Mphoko expressed gratitude to the government for facilitating the repatriation of the late Vice President’s body.
“We are grateful to the government for ensuring a smooth journey back home. We also appreciate their respect for his wish to be buried at his homestead. The body will be taken to his home tomorrow, and he will be laid to rest on Sunday,” he said.
Mphoko will join the ranks of several ZAPU cadres who opted out of burial at the national shrine, including the late liberation war icon and ZIPRA intelligence chief Dumiso Dabengwa, who was buried at his home in Ntabazinduna in May 2019.
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