FORMER Tourism and Foreign Affairs minister, Walter Mzembi, will spend the weekend in remand prison following his surprise return to Zimbabwe after years in exile.
Mzembi (61) was charged with corruption-related charges involving the theft and misuse of state property worth over US$2,2 million following his arrest on Friday after returning home after more than six years in exile in South Africa and Zambia.
He appeared before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei yesterday alongside two co-accused Aaron Dzingira Mushoriwa (62), and Margaret Mukahanana Sangarwe (59) both of whom are also former officials or consultants to the Tourism and Hospitality Industry ministry.
The trio is charged with Theft of Trust Property in terms of Section 113(2)(d) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, stemming from two high-profile corruption cases linked to Zimbabwe’s failed 2010 World Cup Fan Park project and the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.
Prosecutor Tendai Shonhai, told the court that Mzembi had previously defaulted on three separate court cases, and had active arrest warrants pending.
His lawyer, Killian Mandiki, requested that the matter be postponed to Monday, arguing that Mzembi had been out of the country for medical treatment and would produce affidavits to that effect.
The magistrate granted the postponement, but remanded Mzembi in custody, meaning he will spend the weekend behind bars at a Harare remand facility.
Shonai alleged that in 2010, the Ministry of Tourism, then under Mzembi’s leadership, received US$2 million from Treasury to purchase 40 large LED public viewing area (PVA) television screens from Shanghai Linso Digital Technology Company in China.
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The equipment was meant to be used for nationwide Fifa World Cup fan parks.
The screens were delivered and recorded as government assets.
However, Mzembi allegedly unlawfully donated or loaned 16 of the screens, worth US$800 000, to churches and other institutions without authorisation from the Treasury.
According to the state, such state assets cannot be donated or hired out to private entities without formal clearance.
The televisions are still unreturned and remain in the hands of third parties.
The second case relates to Zimbabwe’s co-hosting of the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly with Zambia.
Shonai alleged that Mzembi as minister was responsible for overseeing fundraising efforts for the event and, in that role, directed officials to open a private bank account under the name of a fictitious entity called Conventions Africa.
Mushoriwa and Susanna Makombe Kuhudzayi, who is still at large, were signatories to this account into which Mbada Diamonds deposited US$810 000 in sponsorship money.
Part of those funds was used to purchase four high-end vehicles valued at US$184 336, which were then distributed among the accused.
According to court documents Mzembi received a Ford Ranger, Mushoriwa received a Tata Xenon Double Cab, Sangarwe received another Ford Ranger and Makombe Kuhudzayi got a fourth Ford Ranger which she later sold to a third party.
Despite the vehicles being designated for use during the tourism conference, the accused allegedly failed to surrender them after the event and converted them to personal use, thereby defrauding the State.
All the vehicles have since been recovered, but the court notes that the conduct of the accused amounted to deliberate and unlawful misappropriation of government property.
Mzembi had been living outside the country since the 2017 coup that ousted former Robert Mugabe under whose administration Mzembi rose to prominence.
A 2019 warrant of arrest was issued after he skipped court, and the National Prosecuting Authority at the time said it would pursue Interpol extradition.
He is also facing additional charges in a separate matter involving the alleged theft of US$1,6 million in trust property, which has yet to be heard.
On Monday, Mzembi’s lawyer is expected to submit medical documentation justifying his long absence.
