Zimbabwe’s former tourism minister, Walter Mzembi, who was additionally Africa’s candidate for UNWTO Secretary Common in 2017, appeared in a Harare courtroom after eight months in remand jail, as a corruption case that after concerned thousands and thousands narrowed to the alleged mortgage of 4 government-owned TV screens to church buildings. Bail was denied, and the trial resumes on 3 February 2026.
Zimbabwe’s former tourism and overseas affairs minister Walter Mzembi appeared in courtroom on Wednesday for the primary time in practically eight months, as a corruption case that after concerned allegations of multimillion-dollar theft narrowed to the dealing with of 4 government-owned tv screens loaned to church buildings greater than a decade in the past.
Mzembi, who has been held in remand jail since June 2025 with out trial and indictment pleaded not responsible to a cost of legal abuse of obligation as a public officer beneath Zimbabwe’s Prison Regulation (Codification and Reform) Act. The courtroom adjourned proceedings to 3 February 2026 after the prosecution mentioned its closing witness would solely be out there on that date. The courtroom once more denied Mzembi bail.
Case considerably decreased in scope
Mzembi was first arrested in 2018, together with two senior officers, in a case involving the alleged theft and misappropriation of public funds and property valued at roughly US$1.6 million, together with company donations. His co-accused had been later acquitted, and the State has since dropped these costs in opposition to Mzembi.
The remaining case focuses on whether or not, between 2011 and 2014, Mzembi improperly authorised the switch of 4 giant Public Viewing Space (PVA) screens—valued by the State at US$200,000—to a few spiritual organisations with out Treasury approval.
The church buildings concerned are:
- Zion Christian Church (Masvingo)
- United Household Worldwide Church (Harare)
- Prophetic Therapeutic and Deliverance Ministries (Harare)
Mzembi argues the screens had been loaned, not donated, and stay authorities property.
Constitutional questions raised
The prosecution has charged Mzembi beneath Part 174(1)(a) of the Prison Regulation (Codification and Reform) Act as amended in 2023, which narrowed the offence by requiring proof {that a} public officer knowingly acted opposite to official duties.
Authorized observers be aware that the modification got here into impact years after each Mzembi’s removing from workplace in 2017 and the alleged conduct, elevating questions on constitutional protections in opposition to retroactive legal legal responsibility.
Zimbabwe’s Structure states that no individual could also be convicted for an act that was not an offence on the time it was dedicated.
Defence factors to Cupboard authority and accounting guidelines
Mzembi’s defence workforce says the display loans had been authorised beneath a Cupboard-appointed Inter-Ministerial Committee established after Zimbabwe didn’t host matches in the course of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The committee tasked the Ministry of Tourism with selling spiritual tourism, together with assist for big congregations able to attracting regional guests.
The defence additional argues that beneath Zimbabwe’s Public Finance Administration Act, duty for searching for Treasury approval lies with the Everlasting Secretary (the accounting officer), not the minister.
State witnesses undermine the prosecution’s narrative
Three prosecution witnesses testified on Wednesday, together with senior present and former authorities officers. All acknowledged that:
- The Everlasting Secretary is answerable for asset accountability and Treasury approval
- Ministers could challenge coverage directions, however accounting officers execute procedures
- Cupboard choices should be carried out topic to administrative processes
One former everlasting secretary confirmed that ministry correspondence described the transactions as loans, not donations, and that the property remained authorities property.
At a number of factors, the presiding choose cautioned prosecutors for showing hostile to their very own witnesses, whose testimony appeared to weaken the State’s case.
Notably, the Everlasting Secretary in workplace on the time of the transactions has not been known as to testify.
Property stay in use, totally accounted for
The 4 screens had been a part of a batch of 40 giant screens imported from China in 2010 at a value of about US$2 million. The bulk had been later distributed to authorities establishments. Ministry data from 2016 point out that all property had been accounted for, and the 4 screens stay in use on the church buildings.
Trial resumes in February
Following the prosecution’s request, the Excessive Courtroom adjourned the matter to 3 February 2026, when the ultimate State witness is predicted to testify. Regardless of the decreased scope of the case and the adjournment, the courtroom once more denied bail, leaving Mzembi in custody.
The case is being intently watched by authorized analysts and human rights observers, who say it raises broader questions on selective prosecution, due course of, and the appliance of amended legal legal guidelines to historic conduct in Zimbabwe.
Why Walter Mzembi’s Arrest Is Seen as Shameful for Zimbabwe — and Africa
Past the courtroom, many Zimbabweans and worldwide tourism professionals regard Walter Mzembi as a nationwide asset moderately than a legal.
As tourism minister, he was extensively credited with restoring Zimbabwe’s world tourism standing, most notably by securing and efficiently internet hosting the UN World Tourism Group (UNWTO) Common Meeting in 2013, an achievement many believed not possible given the nation’s worldwide isolation on the time.
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