Tinotenda Hove- A judge at the High Court of Zimbabwe, Justice Benjamin Chikowero, has dismissed former Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi’s application for discharge at the close of the State’s case, ruling that prosecutors have established a prima facie case against him.

Mzembi is facing allegations of criminal abuse of office after he allegedly donated government-owned public viewing screens worth approximately US$200,000 to private churches without following laid-down procedures.

In his ruling, Justice Chikowero said the evidence presented by the State warrants a response from the accused.

“I consider there is evidence on record calling for a reply by the accused. At the close of the State’s case, the record shows that the accused indeed made the donations. The churches are private entities, and the property did not belong to the accused.

“The court’s view is that the State managed to prove that the accused made the donations and should, therefore, be put to his defence.
“He donated State property, and the accused was aware there were processes to follow before such donations could be made,” he said.
The prosecution team, led by Beaven Muravanhema and Audrey Mupini, called four witnesses, including investigating officer Eric Chacha.

Chacha testified that while donations made to government departments had received Treasury approval, equipment given to private churches — PHD Ministries, UFIC, and ZCC — had not been authorised by the Ministry of Finance.

Church representatives confirmed receiving the equipment and stated that it remains in their possession. The court heard that, unlike donations to government institutions, the gifts to the churches were made unconditionally and outside established procedures.

Justice Chikowero further observed that the donations were not initiated by the permanent secretary, the Ministry of Tourism, or any other government department, but by Mzembi himself.

“In light of the foregoing, there is a need for the accused to explain why he acted as he did,” the judge said.

The defence case is scheduled to be heard on 3 and 4 March. Mzembi is represented by his lawyers, Emmanuel Samundombe and Killian Mandiki.