adminLovemore Chikova in MAPUTO, Mozambique
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday met the secretary-general of Frelimo, Mozambique’s ruling party, Mr Eliseu Joaquim Machava, and discussed several issues on relations between the party and Zanu-PF. The meeting was held at the Frelimo headquarters in central Maputo and attended by officials from VP Mphoko’s office and those from Frelimo.
VP Mphoko has been here since Sunday evening on a special mission assigned by President Mugabe.
Speaking after the closed door meeting, VP Mphoko said it was a successful meeting and they touched on the enhancement of relations between the two liberation movements.
“This was just to continue strengthening our relationship between the two parties, Zanu-PF and Frelimo,” he said.
“Basically that is what we have discussed — our party relationship. We have a long relationship that started in the 1960s and that relationship continued up to this day. That is what we have been talking about to continue our good relationship.”
VP Mphoko said the meeting was important and the two parties needed to regularly update each other on internal developments.
Mr Machava said it was important to continue maintaining the unity between Zanu-PF and Frelimo.
“We discussed issues meant to strengthen the relations between our two countries and enhance the friendship and solidarity,” he said.
“We want to be united parties to fortify development between the two parties and the people of both countries.”
VP Mphoko is scheduled to meet Mozambican President Philipe Nyusi today, the major highlight of his trip.
On Monday, VP Mphoko held his first meeting with the Zimbabwe embassy staff where he was briefed on various issues before he toured the building housing the embassy in central Maputo.
VP Mphoko, who is accompanied by his wife Laurinda and some officials from his office, is being led by Zimbabwean ambassador to Mozambique Nicholas Dube.
The courtesy on President Nyusi was discussed when he visited Harare at the end of last month where he opened the Harare Agricultural Show.
Zimbabwe and Mozambique share a vast border line with a lot of interaction between the two countries and their citizens.
The bond between the two countries grew during the liberation struggle when Mozambique offered rear bases for the liberation war fighters to launch attacks on the racist Ian Smith regime.
The late Mozambican President Samora Machel is held in high esteem in Zimbabwe because of his generosity and hospitality to the liberation war fighters.
Online Reporter