Walter Mzembi left Chikurubi Prison after posting a US$1,000 bail.

On Tuesday, Former Zimbabwean Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi was released on bail after being charged with corruption and abuse of power involving US$2 million between 2009 and 2017.

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Mzembi left Chikurubi Prison after posting a US$1,000 bail, which conditions include surrendering his passport, remaining at his home in Harare, and not traveling more than 30 kilometers from the capital while awaiting sentencing.

Defense attorney Killian Mandiki confirmed the court’s decision and indicated that the final ruling will be issued on May 13, but declined to comment further as the case is still pending.

The charges relate to the allegedly illegal donation of televisions valued at two million dollars to three churches, equipment originally purchased for fan zones during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Mzembi was arrested in June 2015 after returning from a long period of self-imposed exile in South Africa, Eswatini, and Zambia, countries where he sought refuge along with other former ministers following the 2017 military coup against former President Robert Mugabe.

The 2017 coup d’etat ousted Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe from 1987 to 2017. Following the coup, several former ministers fled to avoid prosecution.

Mzembi had already been arrested in 2018, but claimed health problems that prolonged the trial. He maintains that the legal proceedings against him are “politically motivated” rather than legally sound.

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE

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