Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi has returned to Zimbabwe for the first time since 2018, having met President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare on Wednesday morning.
Mzembi had left the country in 2018, ostensibly to seek cancer treatment in South Africa, amid an ongoing corruption trial.
The 61-year-old, who had also served as Tourism Minister in Robert Mugabe’s government, claimed political persecution by the new regime following Mugabe’s ouster in a military coup. During his exile, Mzembi was primarily based in Zambia.
A court issued an arrest warrant for Mzembi in 2019 after he skipped trial. He was accused of converting televisions worth US$2 million, initially bought for fan parks during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, to his personal use.
At the time, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) indicated it would seek Interpol’s help for his extradition.
However, it remains unclear if this was ever pursued as Mzembi frequently travelled between Zambia and South Africa, both Interpol members.
Mzembi is believed to have enlisted war veteran Phillip Chabata, an ally of President Mnangagwa, to negotiate his return.
On Wednesday, it remained unclear what would happen to Mzembi’s outstanding arrest warrant or his trial.
Mzembi and presidency spokesman George Charamba did not immediately respond to ZimLive’s requests for comment.
Mzembi’s return will be closely watched by other former Mugabe allies scattered across the world after the coup.
Among the former Mugabe allies currently scattered across the world are Saviour Kasukuwere, Mandiitawepi Chimene, Patrick Zhuwawo, and Jonathan Moyo.
More: ZimLive
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