HARARE – Former foreign affairs minister Walter Mzembi has returned to Zimbabwe for the first time since 2018 when he left the country ostensibly to seek cancer treatment in South Africa in the middle of his corruption trial.
Mzembi claimed political persecution by the new regime after former President Robert Mugabe was ousted in a military coup.
The 61-year-old, who also served as tourism minister in Mugabe’s government, was exiled in Zambia.
Mzembi quietly slipped into Harare where he met Mnangagwa at State House on Wednesday morning, sources said.
The former Masvingo South MP backed Saviour Kasukuwere’s bid for the presidency in 2023. Kasukuwere, a former Mugabe minister, launched his campaign from his exile in South Africa but was barred by a court from running.
Mzembi is believed to have enlisted war veteran Phillip Chabata, a Mnangagwa ally, to negotiate his return.
A court in 2019 issued an arrest warrant for Mzembi after he skipped his trial where he was accused of converting televisions worth US$2 million, bought for fan parks during the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa, to his own use.
The National Prosecuting Authority gave notice at the time that it would seek Interpol’s help to secure Mzembi’s extradition. It remains unclear if the matter was ever pursued as Mzembi shuttled between Zambia and South Africa, both members of Interpol.
It also remained unclear on Wednesday what would happen to Mzembi’s outstanding warrant, or his trial after he entered the country without being arrested.
Mzembi and presidency spokesman George Charamba did not immediately despond to ZimLive’s request for a comment.
Mzembi’s return will be watched closely by other former Mugabe allies scattered around the world after the long-time leader’s military ouster. Many fear arrest by a vengeful Mnangagwa.
