Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, who is reportedly staying in a hotel, cannot move in the house occupied by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai because that house is not fit for a Vice-President. It was built for a Prime Minister.
This was said by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who insisted that in government accommodation was meant to befit the position. The President had a house fit for that post and so were his two deputies. The Prime Minister ranked third, so a house meant for the Prime Minister could not be allocated to a Vice-President.
Mnangagwa was responding to a question from Makonde legislator Kindness Paradza who had asked why Mphoko could not move into the house occupied by Tsvangirai because Tsvangirai was no longer working for the government.
Q & A:
*MR. PARADZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Leader of the House, who is also the Vice President Cde E. D. Mnangagwa. Most Zimbabweans are worried about the fact that the other Vice President Hon. Mphoko is still living in a hotel and yet there is a Government house which is being occupied by Mr. Tsvangirai who occupied it in his position as the former Prime Minister. I have been reading the Constitution of the country and found nowhere where it states that when you have been moved from Government and you had been a Prime Minister, you should be taken care of and accommodated by the State. Therefore my question is – if a civil servant leaves his job, does he still have to stay in Government accommodation or residence free of charge and is that the rule?
MR. MUTSEYAMI: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. My point of order Mr. Speaker Sir is that the question is a specific one. It has nothing to do with policy – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
MR. SPEAKER: Order, order, the question is very specific that, is it Government policy that what is obtaining should persist. I think it is quite straightforward.
*THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR. MNANGAGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I thank the hon. member for this question which has been asked by Hon. Paradza. As far as the Government is concerned, we have different status and departments as well as rules and regulations which guide us. This also affects their accommodation. A house set aside for the President befits his status and the Vice Presidents also have their suitable accommodation. In that manner, everyone has his/her type of accommodation that suits their position. As a result, the accommodation which is supposed to be occupied by the Vice President Hon. Mphoko is under refurbishment and when they are through, he will occupy it. On the issue regarding the accommodation which is being used by the former Prime Minister Mr. Tsvangirai, it is not the suitable accommodation for the Vice President and therefore, this is out of question.
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