Trial of Former Minister Walter Mzembi Postponed

The trial of former minister Walter Mzembi has been postponed to 28 January 2026 as he faces US$2 million theft charges linked to the 2010 FIFA World Cup (image source)

The trial of former Foreign Affairs minister Walter Mzembi failed to commence yesterday after High Court judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero postponed the matter to 28 January 2026.

Mzembi is facing charges of theft of trust property involving US$2 million, allegedly committed during his tenure as Tourism minister. Prosecutors allege that he misappropriated television sets procured for fan parks during the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosted by South Africa. The former Cabinet minister has been in custody for nearly a year following his arrest upon returning from self-imposed exile. His legal team is led by lawyers Killian Mudiki and Emmanuel Samundombe.

Court heard that Mzembi has reportedly been unwell while on remand, a factor that contributed to the delay in proceedings. The case management meeting brought together the National Prosecuting Authority and defence counsel to map the way forward, but the trial was adjourned to later this month.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi with his then lawyer Job Sikhala (image source)

Mzembi fled Zimbabwe following the ouster of former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe in 2017 amid corruption charges and claims of political persecution. After briefly appearing in court, then represented by Job Sikhala, he applied for relaxation of bail conditions, citing the need for cancer treatment. He subsequently failed to return, resulting in the issuance of a warrant of arrest.

Since his re-arrest, Mzembi has remained in custody and maintains that he is being politically targeted by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.