High Court Judge, Justice Regis Dembure has dismissed a bail application filed by former Tourism Minister and G40 kingpin, Walter Mzembi.
Justice Dembure upheld the Harare magistrate court’s decision to keep Mzembi behind bars saying the ex-Minister lacked accountability.
He ruled: “There is no guarantee that the accused person will stand trial if released on bail. The current circumstances do not warrant that the accused be admitted to bail.”
Mzembi was arrested on allegations of unlawfully disposing of 16 LED television screens worth $800 000 that were procured for public viewing during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Mzembi donated the State-owned screens to churches.
He is also accused of misusing funds raised for the 20th United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly, which Zimbabwe co-hosted with Zambia in 2013.
It is the State’s case that Mzembi sourced sponsorship from corporates such Mbada Diamonds and deposited the funds into an unregistered trust account.
