Questions Raised On Why Vice Presidents "Snubbed" ED On Departure To, & Return From Mozambique
Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi’s absence at President Mnangagwa’s departure for, and his return from Mozambique at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport last week has raised eyebrows in different quarters.
Traditionally, when the Head of State leaves the country, he is seen off at the airport by his vice presidents, several cabinet ministers and service chiefs.
However, in Mnangagwa’s last trip abroad, both the vice presidents were absent even though Chiwenga was the acting president.
Speaking to the Daily News separately, officials in the Ministry of Information admitted that protocol was not handled properly. On one hand, Deputy Information Ministry Minister, Energy Mutodi said:
The protocol provides that the vice presidents must have been at the airport before the president and that they must see him off but in this case, I think it was a logistical issue that delayed them and nothing else.
On the other hand, Information Minister, Monica Mutsvanga on Friday said this when contacted by the Daily News:
It looks like you are quite familiar with protocol but this is not our area so maybe I will have to find out from those that are responsible for that.
The publication also tried to reach Chiwenga to hear the reason for the “snub” and his call was answered by his wife Marry who said:
Remember he is the acting president and on Tuesdays, Cabinet will be seating so there could have been some work that he had to complete first.
Do you think it would have been proper to leave important government business just to have a high-powered delegation going to the airport with the president?
I am not suggesting that this is what transpired but I am just saying this in response to your question about a breach of protocol.