Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa, hospitalised on suspicion of food poisoning at the recently-ended Zanu PF national conference held in Victoria Falls, who government this week assigned sick leave.
Govt officials say Mahofa is still recuperating at home and has been granted sick leave.
Although Mahofa could not be reached for comment as her mobile phone has been constantly switched off, Southern Eye established that she did not report for duty yesterday, as her subordinates said she was on leave. Newsreaders however have queried the circumstances surrounding the granting of the sick leave seeing she has been out of work for over a month to date meaning “she should really be on unpaid leave”.
Masvingo provincial administrator Felix Chikovo could also not be reached for comment, as he was said to be out of the office.
A fortnight ago, government officials denied a ZimEye.com investigation revealing that Mahofa had been poisoned, saying she had had a malaria attack.
Mahofa’s daughter Nyengeterai also denied food poisoning claims, saying: “She is out of hospital. She is actually watching television. I don’t know about those allegations and I am truly surprised at that. We, the children, don’t know of the alleged food poisoning.”
Last year, Mahofa had her office shifted to the ground floor at Benjamin Burombo Building when she was appointed Provincial Affairs minister, as she could not climb up the stairs.
She said President Robert Mugabe appointed her to the powerful post in the province because of the trust he has in her, even though she struggles to stand up. – SouthernEye/ZimEye