Tinotenda Hove – Former Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi was granted bail of US$1,000 by the High Court in Harare on Monday as he awaits judgment in a case where he faces accusations of defrauding the State of US$2 million while in office.

The bail conditions require Mzembi to pay the set amount, hand over his passport, stay at his Harare residence, and remain within a 30km radius of the court.

He was taken into custody in June last year after returning from South Africa. Prosecutors allege he gave away television sets intended for 2010 FIFA World Cup fan parks without getting clearance from Treasury or Cabinet.

Mzembi’s attorney, Mr Emmanuel Samundombe, confirmed the bail but said his client was still detained because of an error with release documents. He is expected to walk free on Tuesday.

Mzembi, a prominent figure in the G-40 faction, is viewed by some as being targeted by President Emmerson Mnangagwa for opposing his rise to power in 2017. Mnangagwa’s Lacoste faction was locked in a fierce fight with G-40 before Robert Mugabe’s ouster.