Mzembi Applies to Rejoin ZANU PF After 2017 Expulsion

MASVINGO — Former Cabinet minister Walter Mzembi has formally applied to rejoin ZANU PF, nearly nine years after he was expelled from the ruling party following the 2017 military-assisted transition that ended Robert Mugabe’s presidency.

Mzembi, who was once associated with the G40 faction during ZANU PF’s internal power struggles, served as Tourism Minister before being appointed Foreign Affairs Minister. His readmission request was recently considered by the ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial Executive Council (PEC) at an emergency meeting held at Masvingo Polytechnic.

In a letter tabled before the PEC, Mzembi said his membership was rescinded by the party’s Special Emergency Central Committee on 19 November 2017.

“I write to respectfully apply for readmission into ZANU PF. My membership was rescinded by a special emergency central committee meeting on November 19, 2017,” Mzembi wrote.

He said he wanted to renew his membership and contribute to the party’s programmes and activities.

“I sincerely wish to renew my membership and contribute positively to its programmes and activities. ZANU PF is a party of depth, and I wish to contribute to its development. I commit to uphold the constitution of the party if readmitted.”

Party divided over Mzembi's return

The application reportedly divided members of the provincial executive. Some members supported Mzembi’s return but said he should first become a card-carrying member at cell level and should not immediately occupy a leadership position. Others opposed his readmission, accusing him of criticising the party on social media.

The debate led provincial political commissar Brian Munyoro to propose that Mzembi be summoned before the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) to respond to questions surrounding his case before a final decision is reached. The PEC also resolved that selected posts from Mzembi’s Facebook and X accounts be printed and presented to him so that he could respond to allegations that he had been critical of the party.

Mzembi's post-2017 legal battles

Mzembi was expelled from ZANU PF following the November 2017 political transition. He subsequently left Zimbabwe and lived in exile in South Africa and later Zambia. He also faced corruption-related charges arising from his tenure as Tourism Minister. Mzembi returned to Zimbabwe in June 2025 and was arrested over outstanding warrants relating to allegations of criminal abuse of office and theft of trust property.

In May 2026, he was acquitted in a case involving the donation of four LED television sets valued at approximately US$200,000 to churches, including Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church, without Treasury approval. His latest application marks a potential return to the political party from which he was expelled at the height of ZANU PF’s factional battles. For now, however, the Masvingo provincial leadership has opted to hear Mzembi’s response before making a recommendation on his readmission.

Walter Mzembi ZANU PF readmission