HARARE, May 5 (NewsDay Live) – Former Tourism minister Walter Mzembi has been granted US$1 000 bail by the High Court pending judgment in his criminal abuse of office case, ending nearly a year stay in remand prison.
The ruling was handed down by Benjamin Chikowero, who ordered Mzembi to reside at his Wilmington Park home and remain within a 30km radius of the High Court. He was also directed to surrender his passport to the clerk of court.
Mzembi’s trial, completed last month, centres on allegations he unlawfully facilitated the donation of government-owned public viewing screens to churches without Treasury approval during his tenure as minister.
The State alleges the screens—procured for 2010 FIFA World Cup fan parks—were distributed to Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries led by Walter Magaya, United Family International Church (UFIC) led by Emmanuel Makandiwa, and Zion Christian Church (ZCC) led by Nehemiah Mutendi.
Testifying for the State, ZACC investigations officer Eric Chacha told the court Mzembi breached procurement and asset management regulations.
“Investigations revealed there was no Treasury concurrence at the time these screens were loaned to the churches,” Chacha said during the trial.Prosecutor Beaven Muravanhema closed the State’s case, arguing sufficient evidence had been presented to demonstrate impropriety.
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Mzembi’s defence team, led by Emmanuel Samundombe and Killian Mandiki, applied for his discharge at the close of the State case, arguing there was no prima facie evidence.
“The evidence presented does not warrant placement of the accused person to his defence,” Samundombe said.
Mzembi was arrested in June last year upon returning from South Africa after a period in exile. His lawyer said he remained in custody on Monday due to a mix-up in release papers but is expected to be freed on Tuesday, ahead of judgment set for Friday.