The Sunday News
From Mduduzi Mathuthu in Serowe, Botswana
VICE-PRESIDENT Phelekezela Mphoko returned home yesterday following visits to Mozambique and Botswana.
Yesterday morning, the Vice President attended the burial of former Botswana Vice-President Lieutenant General Mompati Merafhe, who died on January 7 aged 78.VP Mphoko, who was accompanied by his wife, Lourinda, and Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, joined Botswana President Ian Khama, his predecessor Festus Mogae and the former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe among notable dignitaries during a four-hour ceremony and burial.
President Khama, one of a dozen speakers, said Lt-Gen Merafhe — a former army commander who was Vice-President of Botswana between 2008 and 2012 — had travelled a “principled journey”.
He praised him for touching the lives of many, saying he distinguished himself as a diligent, industrious, good-hearted and selfless individual.
Following the burial, Vice-President Mphoko cut short his visit to return home where he will attend the burials of victims of a horrific car accident which killed 11 Zimbabweans in Botswana last week.
Almost all the victims of the crash were from Tsholotsho.
Five men, five women and a child perished after their people carrier, which was driving through Botswana to South Africa, hit a donkey on the Martins-Drift road in central Botswana on 12 January.
The vice-president is expected to console the bereaved families and offer material assistance for the burials.
VP Mphoko began his two-country trip with a stop in Mozambique on Wednesday and Thursday to attend the inauguration of President Filipe Nyusi.
