BULAWAYO – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Saturday accused former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko of resisting arrest after he allegedly chased away its officers a day earlier.

ZACC says it wants to question Mphoko over allegations he, while he was Vice President, threatened police officers and ordered them to release officials from the roads agency, ZINARA, who had been arrested on corruption allegations.

Video released by Mphoko’s daughter, Siduduzo, last Friday showed two ZACC officials being ordered out of Mphoko’s Douglasdale home in Bulawayo after they were challenged to present an arrest warrant or court order.

ZACC, in response, said in a statement: “Our officers visited the former VP Phelekezela Mphoko at his residence. The officers intended to question him with a view to record a warned and cautioned statement. The matter relates to abuse of office whilst he was VP.

“It is sad that the former VP refused to collaborate with the enforcement officers and unfortunate that he and those around him believe that they are above the law.

“As the chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo has reiterated time and again, no-one is above the law. We will ensure that the long arm of the law visits him in a manner that he understands and that he answers for his actions as soon as possible.”

On Sunday, Mphoko – who lost his position in 2017 after the military ousted long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, issued the following statement addressing the matter:

“Mr. Tsindi, in his opening remarks claimed that they left Harare on Friday morning for Bulawayo, for an interview with me. They did not inform me of their coming because they did not have my contact numbers.

However, I informed him that I am a public figure, or simply they could have contacted the Bulawayo President’s Ofice or Department for my contacts.

He, however, insisted that they had not informed them, but passed through Hillside Police Station to collect an officer because Douglasdale falls under Hillside Police Station.

He informed me that there were allegations against me they were investigating and they needed my statement responding to those allegations, of which once signed, in front of my lawyer, the case will be closed. ZACC is aware that this case had been dismissed by the courts three times before the intervention took place.

Tsindi informed me that this has to be done at ZACC offices at Mhlahlandlela. I asked them if they could bring their documents here for me to sign with the assistance and presence of my lawyer. They agreed and then left.

On their return, later in the afternoon, they had changed their position from that of signing the document and closing the case, but to arrest me. They were now very hostile, and arrogant. It was then that we demanded to see a warrant of arrest or court order.

Tsindi informed me that he did not need a warrant of arrest or a court order. He carries out his duties without either of these documents. I enquired from him whether he meant that I did not have rights as a citizen of this country and as a former Vice President of Zimbabwe, where you just come to arrest me as if you were dealing with a piece of wood or any commodity.

He emphasised that he did not need those papers as a ZACC investigator. That was when we all realised that we were dealing with very dangerous people under the cover of the law.

It was at that point that they were requested to leave the house, because they were not in possession of a warrant of arrest or a court order.

My god is my defence.”