HARARE — Former Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi has been granted US$1,000 bail by the High Court in Harare. Mzembi is currently awaiting judgment in a high-profile case where he is accused of defrauding the Government of approximately US$2 million during his tenure in office.

The High Court of Zimbabwe has dismissed former Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi’s application for discharge at the close of the State’s case, finding that prosecutors established a prima facie case of abuse of office against him.

The High Court will on February 17 decide whether former Cabinet minister Walter Mzembi should be discharged at the close of the State’s case, a ruling that could bring his criminal abuse of office trial to an early end. The decision, to be delivered by Justice Benjamin Chikowero, follows the State’s closure of its case after calling four witnesses, including a senior investigator from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).