Mphoko in fresh controversy, storms police station

By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko on Wednesday reportedly stormed Avondale Police Station in Harare and ordered the release of top Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) executives arrested for corruption.

The ZINARA officials, Moses Juma (chief executive officer) and Davison Norupiri (board member)  are being accused of graft involving over $1 million and had been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).

Mphoko reportedly visited the station during the night and identified himself as “the VP of the country”, saying, “I want my boys to go”.

The police details who attended to him and released the ZINARA officials recorded his name in the detention book (DB) as the one who had authorised the two’s releases.

Vice presidents, however, have no power to order the release of suspects from police stations in such a manner, and his conduct has been viewed as obstruction of justice.

Innocent Chagonda, who is representing Norupiri said: “About his release, I cannot comment. I don’t know what happened. What I know is that they were released and I don’t know whether it was by consent or force.”

Juma’s lawyer Tinevimbo Mutemachani also said he was not aware how his client was released.

Mphoko has angered Zimbabweans for living in a hotel since December 2014 when he was appointed vice president, at the taxpayer’s expense. President Robert Mugabe has remained mum about Mphoko’s drawn out hotel stay. Nehanda Radio