FORMER Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi was granted US$1 000 bail by the High Court on Monday pending judgment in his US$2 million fraud trial.
Justice Esther Muremba ordered Mzembi to surrender his passport, reside at his Harare home, report to police twice weekly and remain within a 30 kilometre radius of the court.
Mzembi, 62, faces charges of criminal abuse of office. The State alleges that in 2010 he donated 22 television sets and 10 decoders worth US$2 million, meant for FIFA World Cup fan parks, to churches and individuals without Treasury or Cabinet approval.
He was arrested in June 2025 after returning from South Africa, where he had been living since 2018. He has been in custody for 11 months.
Mzembi’s lawyer Emmanuel Samundombe confirmed bail was granted but said his client remained in custody on Monday night due to a documentation error at Harare Remand Prison.
“The order was issued late. Prison officials need original copies. He should be released on Tuesday,” Samundombe said.
Judgment in the fraud case is pending. The State closed its case in March 2026 after calling eight witnesses, including former permanent secretary Florence Nhekairo.
The National Prosecuting Authority said it was not opposed to bail but maintained its case against Mzembi was strong.
“The accused was a Cabinet minister entrusted with public resources. The evidence shows he distributed assets without following procedure. We await judgment,” NPA spokesperson Angeline Munyeriwa said.
She said the bail conditions were sufficient to ensure the accused awaits judgment.
Samundombe said Mzembi denies the charges, arguing the television sets were donated to promote tourism during the World Cup and that Cabinet was aware.
“This was not fraud. It was a policy decision to market Zimbabwe. We expect an acquittal,” Samundombe said.
Mzembi was a key figure in the G40 faction of ZANU PF, which opposed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rise to power ahead of the 2017 military intervention that removed Robert Mugabe.
Some supporters say the prosecution is political. The State denies the charges are linked to factional interests.
If convicted, Mzembi faces up to 15 years in jail or a fine under the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.
