Ex-minister Walter Mzembi’s trial underway at High Court 

Source: Ex-minister Walter Mzembi’s trial underway at High Court – herald

Yeukai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

The long-awaited trial of former Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi, who is facing charges of criminal abuse of office, has started before High Court Judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero.

Mzembi, who is being represented by his lawyers Mr  Emmanuel Samundombe and Mr Killian Mandiki, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The allegations against Mzembi, who was  Foreign Affairs Minister at the time he left Government in 2017, stem from accusations that he unlawfully donated four LED television sets, valued at US$200 000, to three churches United Family International Church, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministry, and Zion Christian Church without obtaining approval from Treasury or Cabinet.

Mzembi’s charges involve a total of US$2 million allocated from Treasury to the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality in 2010.

The money was intended to buy televisions for  40 fan parks to promote tourism during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa.