Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi will remain in custody for the remainder of Zimbabwe’s winter, following a court ruling that has extended his detention until August 6. The decision, handed down by Harare Regional Magistrate Donald Ndirovei on Thursday, means Mzembi will likely see the arrival of the warmer season still behind bars as he awaits the next stage in his legal battle.
The 61-year-old ex-minister, who once served as Member of Parliament for Masvingo South, made a dramatic return to Zimbabwe on June 14 after a self-imposed exile of nearly seven years in South Africa. His return caught many political observers by surprise, sparking speculation about his motives and potential legal troubles.
Mzembi, who is being represented by defence lawyer Kevin Mandike, appeared in court this week where the State, led by prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, indicated that preparations for trial are nearing completion. The prosecution expressed confidence that the matter would be ready to proceed when Mzembi next appears in court in early August.
The former minister’s arrest in June marked a significant turn of events in a case that dates back to the final days of the late former President Robert Mugabe’s administration. Mzembi stands accused of abuse of office and theft of public property during his tenure as Minister of Tourism and later Foreign Affairs. The charges relate to allegations that he misappropriated resources meant for official government events — including vehicles and other assets — during the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly held in Victoria Falls.
The prosecution claims that Mzembi diverted some of the property, including motor vehicles and electronic equipment, for personal use or for the benefit of third parties. These allegations first emerged in 2018, leading to Mzembi’s initial indictment, but he was later granted bail and permitted to travel to South Africa for medical treatment — a move that effectively saw him staying away from Zimbabwe for years.
Despite being on the radar of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and listed on the wanted persons’ roster, Mzembi had until now managed to avoid extradition. His unexpected reappearance on Zimbabwean soil reignited the legal process against him, and authorities swiftly placed him in custody upon arrival.
Mzembi to Spend Winter Behind Bars as Trial Looms
Legal experts say his continued detention may reflect the seriousness with which the State is now handling the matter, as well as the broader push to clamp down on high-profile corruption cases. Some observers, however, view the renewed prosecution with skepticism, interpreting it as politically motivated — especially given Mzembi’s past affiliation with G40, a ZANU PF faction that was ousted during the 2017 military-assisted transition that brought President Emmerson Mnangagwa to power.
Mzembi, a once-rising political star within the ruling party and one of the few ministers viewed as internationally savvy, had largely disappeared from Zimbabwe’s political scene since the 2017 upheaval. While in South Africa, he kept a relatively low profile, occasionally commenting on Zimbabwean politics through social media and regional think tanks.
His recent arrest has again put him in the national spotlight. Supporters and critics alike have been speculating about his decision to return — with some believing he may have been attempting to clear his name, while others suggest he might have miscalculated the risks involved.
At this week’s hearing, the court did not entertain any bail application. Magistrate Ndirovei simply confirmed that Mzembi would remain in custody at least until the August 6 hearing, at which time the court is expected to confirm the trial date and proceed with formal charges.
Prosecutor Chonzi told the court that witness interviews and evidence compilation were almost complete. “We are confident the matter will be trial-ready by the next remand date,” he said, adding that the State was committed to expediting the case in the interest of justice.
As temperatures in Zimbabwe remain chilly, Mzembi will continue to occupy a cell rather than a courtroom. His fate now hangs in the balance as the justice system prepares to weigh evidence against one of Zimbabwe’s most recognizable political figures from the Mugabe era.
Whether his trial will represent a genuine effort to hold public officials accountable, or devolve into a spectacle of political score-settling, remains to be seen. Either way, Mzembi’s return has reignited national conversations around corruption, justice, and the unfinished business of Zimbabwe’s turbulent transition.
