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).