VP-elect Mphoko to quit Choppies

Temba Dube Deputy News Editor
ONE of Zimbabwe’s fastest-growing supermarket chains, Choppies, is set to lose its chairman after Phelekezela Mphoko was named Vice President-elect by President Mugabe yesterday. Choppies Zimbabwe director, Siqokoqela Mphoko, who is also the VP-elect’s son, last night said consultations had begun to see if there was conflict of interest between the former diplomat’s two new roles.

“It’s too early to say anything really,” he said.

But constitutional lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku said the law had already made a decision for Choppies Zimbabwe and the Vice President-elect.

Said Prof Madhuku: “The constitution is very clear on the matter. The President and Vice Presidents cannot work for anyone or be employed by anyone other than the State. VP Mphoko would be required to step down.”

Section 103 of the constitution says: “The President and Vice Presidents, and any former President or Vice President, must not, directly or indirectly, hold any other public office or be employed by anyone else while they are in office or are receiving a pension from the State as former President or Vice President as the case may be.”

The fast-growing supermarket chain is a joint venture between Botswana Choppies Enterprises and the Mphoko family.

Choppies Zimbabwe entered the country through the acquisition of 10 retail outlets under Sai Enterprises and Chrissfontein Marketing in Bulawayo this year.

The retailer has completed its first year in Zimbabwe with a total of 16 stores, including two in Harare.

Siqokoqela Mphoko said these would grow gradually to 25 and 35 in year three and four respectively and by year five 40 stores would have been opened with an annual turnover of $350 million projected.

The group expects to employ 3,000 people in the period.

In the long term, more than 60 Choppies outlets have been planned to operate countrywide.

Choppies Enterprises, Siqokoqela said, targeted the low-end and middle-class market.

The parent company – Choppies Enterprises – in a recent update said Zimbabwe stores were all profitable, despite the challenging economic conditions.