Acting President Phelekezela Mphoko says war veterans chairman Christopher Mutsvangwa is a mad man for claiming that he deserted the war to spend time with his then wife-to-be, Laurinda.
The couple wed in 1977 with former Umkhonto WeSizwe guerilla and current South African President Jacob Zuma as best man.
“If you talk about my wife, you irritate me because that’s the person I love, that’s my best friend. All my 16 years in the armed struggle, God knows I never left the struggle. I was loyal to the struggle and loyal to Zipra. I never sold out. I’m a son of a hero and my grandfather wayeliqhawe likaMzilikazi. I’ve never been a sell-out and will never be”.
He said of Musvangwa : “Someone sees the sun rising from the east and he says it’s the west. Lolo luhlanya (that’s a mad person). Please take him to Ingutsheni Hospital,” said Cde Mphoko to thunderous applause while addressing a meeting in Bulawayo.
Mutsvangwa said Mphoko “went AWOL” from Zapu’s military wing, Zipra, after he fell in love with Laurinda. Mphoko admitted meeting Laurinda, whom he described as “isidandane sami”, during his stint in Mozambique after being posted to the country by his superiors.
Mphoko was speaking in Bulawayo.
