Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi’s legal troubles have escalated, with a Harare magistrate dismissing his bid to have his placement on remand set aside. The decision, delivered by Regional Magistrate Donald Ndirowei, dealt a significant blow to Mzembi’s efforts to challenge the charges he faces, which stem from events dating back several years.
Mzembi, who was arrested in June 2025 upon his return to Zimbabwe after years of self-imposed exile in South Africa, had approached the court seeking to nullify his remand. In his application, the former minister argued that the legal process was flawed and that placing him on remand was unlawful. He maintained that he had never been properly summoned or informed of court proceedings while he was outside the country and therefore should not be treated as a fugitive.
However, Magistrate Ndirowei dismissed these arguments, ruling that Mzembi’s absence from court since 2018 was intentional and calculated. The court found that Mzembi had ample opportunity to present himself before the courts but had chosen not to do so, making his placement on remand both lawful and justified. The magistrate subsequently ordered him to return to court on Friday, July 18, for the allocation of a trial date.
The latest legal setback marks another chapter in a long-running saga involving Mzembi, who was once considered a rising star within ZANU PF and a potential presidential contender. His political career came to a halt following the military-assisted transition of November 2017, which led to the ouster of then-President Robert Mugabe and ushered in Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
Shortly after Mugabe’s fall, Mzembi became one of the many former cabinet ministers linked to the G40 faction targeted by state authorities over corruption allegations. Facing charges that include theft of trust property and criminal abuse of office, he fled the country in 2018 and remained in South Africa for several years, evading arrest.
Mzembi’s Legal Woes Deepen as Court Dismisses Remand Challenge
The charges against Mzembi relate to his tenure as Minister of Tourism and later as Foreign Affairs Minister. He is accused of misappropriating state property, including plasma television sets and other equipment purchased for the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) conference hosted in Victoria Falls. According to prosecutors, the equipment was unlawfully distributed to private institutions and churches with no official links to the event or the government.
The State argues that Mzembi used his office to enrich himself and others by diverting public assets for personal gain. Some of the donated equipment has since been recovered, but the allegations of abuse of office have remained a dark cloud over his legacy.
In court, the prosecution insisted that Mzembi deliberately avoided accountability by fleeing the country and resisting efforts to return and answer to the charges. They argued that his recent return should not shield him from prosecution and that the justice system must proceed with the case without further delay.
Legal analysts say the magistrate’s ruling underscores the judiciary’s increasing willingness to pursue high-profile corruption cases, especially those involving former officials associated with past administrations. “This ruling shows that the courts are serious about holding public officials accountable, regardless of how long they’ve been out of the country,” said one Harare-based legal expert. “Mzembi’s defense about unlawful remand didn’t stand up to scrutiny because his absence appeared deliberate.”
Mzembi, for his part, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the charges are politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his name. He claims he was unfairly targeted as part of a broader purge of G40 members following the 2017 transition. However, his critics argue that justice must take its course, especially given the serious nature of the charges.
The former minister’s legal team is expected to explore additional avenues to delay or challenge the proceedings, but with the court setting a timeline for trial, it appears increasingly likely that Mzembi will soon face the full weight of the law.
As the trial date looms, public attention is once again fixed on the broader question of accountability for past corruption in Zimbabwe’s political elite. Mzembi’s case may well become a litmus test for the government’s stated commitment to transparency and justice.
Source- Bulawayo24
