Former Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi is reportedly suffering from deteriorating health while in remand prison, with multiple sources alleging that authorities are deliberately obstructing efforts to secure the critical medication he needs.
Government insiders say Mzembi, 61, is facing escalating health complications, exacerbated by the unavailability of specialised drugs and a lack of access to proper medical treatment.
“He’s not doing well at all,” one senior government source told reporters. “His condition is deteriorating rapidly. The medication he relies on has completely run out, and attempts to source replacements from outside the country have been stonewalled.”
Mzembi was arrested on June 14 after unexpectedly returning to Zimbabwe from South Africa, where he had been living in self-imposed exile for roughly seven years. His return surprised many, especially given his long-standing evasion of trial on charges of corruption and criminal abuse of office.
Back in 2018, Mzembi left the country with court approval to seek urgent cancer treatment abroad. However, he never came back to face trial, choosing instead to remain in South Africa. His return in June was seen by some as a move toward reconciliation, or perhaps a sign that he was ready to clear his name. But his reappearance was swiftly followed by arrest and detention.
In a twist that some have described as tragic irony, Mzembi and his wife were granted American Green Cards just a day after his arrest. “His wife has since relocated to the United States,” one well-placed source disclosed. “Her move has made it even more difficult for him to access international medical assistance, especially now that the regime seems to be actively preventing any outside support.”
Walter Mzembi’s Health Worsens in Prison as Access to Medication Blocked
Inside sources claim Mzembi is being punished not simply for his legal troubles, but also for his historical association with the G40 political faction, a ZANU-PF grouping that was purged during the 2017 military-led transition that removed former President Robert Mugabe from power.
“There’s talk inside government circles that this is more about political retribution than justice,” said a source familiar with the ongoing discussions. “They’re saying 8 to 12 months in prison is enough time for punishment—or what they’re calling rehabilitation—for his G40 involvement.”
Observers have warned that such a prolonged period in prison could prove disastrous given Mzembi’s current health. “Let’s be honest,” said one insider. “At the rate he’s going, eight months could be too long. His condition is fragile. Without proper treatment, this could become a death sentence in all but name.”
The unfolding situation has sparked alarm among human rights advocates and political analysts, many of whom believe that the former minister is being used as a cautionary example to others with ties to the old political order.
Mzembi, once a high-profile figure in ZANU-PF and a respected Member of Parliament for Masvingo South, was seen as one of the party’s future leaders. His diplomatic charm and technocratic style earned him praise both domestically and abroad. At one point, he was even touted as a possible successor to President Mugabe, which may have contributed to his eventual political downfall.
Now, however, the former cabinet minister is in a vastly different position—locked behind bars, ill, and reportedly being denied the care he needs. His legal team has yet to release an official medical report, but insiders close to his family insist that the situation is urgent and requires immediate intervention.
Efforts to obtain clarity from prison officials have been met with silence or vague assurances. The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has not issued a formal comment, but a source within the department said: “As with all inmates, medical requests are handled according to procedure. If there is a genuine emergency, steps will be taken.”
Mzembi’s fate now rests in a fragile balance between judicial process, political will, and the harsh realities of Zimbabwe’s prison system. As speculation mounts over his condition and the alleged political motivations behind his detention, calls are growing louder for authorities to allow him immediate medical attention—before it is too late.
Source- ZimEye
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