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From Mduduzi Mathuthu in Gaborone
VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko arrived here late yesterday to attend the burial of former Botswana Vice President, Mompati Merafhe. The Vice President and his wife, Lourinda, who were guests at President Filipe Nyusi’s inauguration in Mozambique on Thursday, touched down at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone on a commercial plane before being whisked by military aircraft to Serowe, 250km north-east of Gaborone, where Merafhe will be laid to rest this morning.
At the airport, Vice President Mphoko met briefly with the former South African President Kgalema Motlante, who is President Jacob Zuma’s special envoy.
The two men, joined by their wives, reminisced on VP Mphoko’s stint as Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa.
The Vice President also served as ambassador to Botswana, and he told Motlante — who joined him for the short flight to Serowe — of his “terrible sadness” over Merafhe’s death on January 7.
Merafhe was Vice President between 2008 and 2012 after previously serving as foreign minister for 13 years.
He died aged 78 after years of failing health.
Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi is travelling with the Vice President.
Online Reporter