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The credentials presentation at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria is a direct snub of an MDC-T request for South Africa and other countries not to recognise ambassadors constitutionally appointed by President Mugabe last year.

Accepting the credentials, President Zuma said he knew of Ambassador Mphoko’s “skills and capabilities”.
Speaking after presenting his letters of credence, Ambassador Mphoko commended South Africa for standing by Zimbabwe in the face of illegal Western sanctions on the county.
“Your country, South Africa, has proved to be an all-weather friend to Zimbabwe and has refused to support the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, and has instead demanded their immediate removal,” Ambassador Mphoko said.

He said he was honoured to stand in President Zuma’s presence.
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai had written to President Zuma and several European foreign missions claiming the ambassadors posted last year were not constitutionally appointed.
He claimed President Mugabe should have first consulted him as per what he said were requirements of the Global Political Agreement that led to the inclusive Government’s formation.

However, legal experts pointed out that President Mugabe had the constitutional right as Head of State and Government to take the action that he took.
They further pointed out that President Mugabe had in fact not appointed any new ambassadors but had simply redeployed them.
Ambassador Mphoko formerly represented Zimbabwe in Russia and was re-assigned to South Africa in July last year.
The then Ambassador to South Africa, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo had been elevated to Zanu-PF national chairman and was to return home to take up the post on a full-time basis.

President Mugabe reassigned Mr James Manzou from Angola to the United Nations in Geneva while Ambassador Mary Mubi was moved to Italy from Sweden.
Former Ambassador to Australia, Mr Steven Chiketa was reassigned to Sweden and Ambassador Chitsaka Chipaziwa was moved from Geneva to the UN in New York.

Former Ambassador to Italy, Ms Margaret Muchada was re-assigned to represent Zimbabwe at the European Union in Brussels as well as Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Last year, both the EU and UN told Mr Tsvangirai that they would not act on his letter asking them to ignore the assignments.
They pointed out to him that such matters were handled by foreign affairs ministries.-The Herald