Mphoko’s wife robbed in Johannesburg

The wife of one of Zimbabwe’s vice presidents, Phelekezela Mphoko was reportedly robbed and assaulted in Johannesburg last weekend.

According to Zimbabwe media reports, which cite The Star, Laurinda Mphoko was robbed of money and goods worth R1m (about $82 500).

Mphoko who was on her way to the Oriental Plaza in Johannesburg at the time, was allegedly stopped by four men who pretended to be police officers.

The robbers who had a pistol and knives stopped the vehicle in which Mphoko was driving in and flashed a wallet containing a police badge at them.

Mphoko was with five other people in the car.

Personal belongings

The robbers demanded their personal belongings, which included a ruby-and-diamond ring, bangles, $1 000, a Cartier watch and Samsung Galaxy phone.

Police reportedly confirmed the incident but said they were not aware of any assault.

This comes a few weeks after a Nigerian African Union delegate was attacked by suspects who also pretended to be police officers.

According to Eye Witness News, the Nigerian official, Gabriel Gundo, was robbed of $500 and R700 in Sandton.

Gundo was pulled over by an unknown number of men in a Hyundai at the Marlboro and N1 Highway interchange while travelling to his hotel.

Earlier this year, the Zimbabwean vice president himself reportedly warned school pupils against going to South Africa, in comments that seemed to paint the country as a “dangerous” place.

“Don’t rush to South Africa, there’s death there,” Mphoko, who is a former Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa, was quoted as saying. News24.com