Zimbabwe's anti-corruption agency arrested former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi on Thursday after he returned from nearly seven years living outside the country. The 61-year-old politician faces charges of stealing government property and abusing his office. He will appear in court on Monday after being held in custody. Police had wanted to arrest him since 2018 when he left Zimbabwe during his trial. Officials say he stole television screens worth about 2 million dollars that were bought for World Cup viewing events when he served as Tourism Minister.
Mzembi fled Zimbabwe saying he needed cancer treatment in South Africa but later claimed the government was targeting him for political reasons after President Robert Mugabe was removed from power in 2017. He had been living in Zambia and supported another exiled minister named Saviour Kasukuwere. Sources say a war veteran named Phillip Chabata helped arrange Mzembi's return. Reports suggest Mzembi met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the State House on Wednesday morning to try negotiating his safe comeback. His quiet return despite having an arrest warrant surprised many people and started rumors about political deals within the ruling party.
The anti-corruption commission spokesperson said they had to follow the arrest warrant and that nobody is above the law. Presidential officials refused to comment about any meeting between the president and Mzembi. Political experts warn that arresting Mzembi might scare other former officials living abroad from coming back home. They say the government needs to show it will give fair trials to encourage more people to return. Mzembi's court case will test whether the current government truly follows proper legal procedures.
Mzembi fled Zimbabwe saying he needed cancer treatment in South Africa but later claimed the government was targeting him for political reasons after President Robert Mugabe was removed from power in 2017. He had been living in Zambia and supported another exiled minister named Saviour Kasukuwere. Sources say a war veteran named Phillip Chabata helped arrange Mzembi's return. Reports suggest Mzembi met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the State House on Wednesday morning to try negotiating his safe comeback. His quiet return despite having an arrest warrant surprised many people and started rumors about political deals within the ruling party.
The anti-corruption commission spokesperson said they had to follow the arrest warrant and that nobody is above the law. Presidential officials refused to comment about any meeting between the president and Mzembi. Political experts warn that arresting Mzembi might scare other former officials living abroad from coming back home. They say the government needs to show it will give fair trials to encourage more people to return. Mzembi's court case will test whether the current government truly follows proper legal procedures.
