Former Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi has been acquitted of criminal abuse of office by the High Court, after the State failed to prove its case against him.
High Court judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero ruled that while the defence proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mzembi did not commit the offence, the State only managed to establish that he was a public officer, failing to prove other essential elements of the crime.
Mzembi had been accused of unlawfully donating four public-viewing television sets to churches, including the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, allegedly showing favouritism and prejudicing the government.
In his judgment, Justice Chikowero noted that key witnesses, including former Permanent Secretary Margaret Sangarwe, were not called by the State. He said Sangarwe would have been a material witness because she had issued a memorandum proposing the allocation of 40 television sets to rural areas and churches.
“The State chose not to call her at its own peril,” Chikowero said.
The judge also criticised investigating officer Eric Chacha for failing to carry out proper investigations. He further noted that evidence showed the television screens remained government property and were recorded on ministry inventory sheets.
“The State has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The accused is found not guilty and acquitted,” Chikowero ruled.
In his defence, Mzembi argued that the distribution of television sets was part of a broader government strategy approved at the highest level to revive Zimbabwe’s tourism sector after the 2008 political crisis. He said the initiative began during preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was later repurposed to support religious tourism.
- Botswana-based rugby ace Nyameni eyes Zim callup
- Botswana-based rugby ace Nyameni eyes Zim callup
- Pro-democracy activist acquitted
- Zanu PF congress: Fireworks expected
Keep Reading
Mzembi spent nearly a year in remand prison after several bail attempts failed. He was granted bail just two weeks ago before his acquittal this Wednesday.
