Crimes and courts
HARARE — Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi will stand trial from prison after Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei revoked his bail on Tuesday, ruling that he had willfully skipped court proceedings in 2018.
Mzembi, who recently returned to Zimbabwe after seven years abroad, claims he was receiving cancer treatment during his absence. However, the court found him in “willful default,” leading to the cancellation of his bail.
“I was undergoing medical treatment and did not abscond deliberately,” Mzembi argued in court. His lawyer, Killian Mandiki, added, “His condition was life-threatening, requiring constant medical supervision, which restricted his ability to travel.”
The ex-minister faces charges of theft of trust property and fraud, stemming from his tenure as Tourism and Hospitality Minister.
Prosecutors allege he misused $1.6 million in donations from Mbada Diamonds and Zimplats to purchase luxury vehicles. He is also accused of criminal abuse of office for donating World Cup televisions to churches, including Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) and United Family International (UFI).
Mzembi maintains the donations were part of a government-backed religious tourism initiative.
Magistrate Ndirowei ordered Mzembi to remain in custody until his trial resumes on July 1.
He will be jointly tried with former Tourism Ministry consultant Aaron Dzingira Mushoriwa and ex-permanent secretary Margret Sangarwe.
Despite Mzembi’s claims of voluntary return to resolve his legal issues, the court ruled that his prolonged absence without official communication warranted the revocation of bail.
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