HARARE – Women’s Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa’s son, Neville, will spend the weekend in prison pending a bail application on Monday following his arrest on Wednesday on charges of illegally trading in foreign currency.
Neville was arrested on Wednesday at his Mt Pleasant home in Harare by detectives from the CID commercial crimes unit on allegations of contravening the Exchange Control Act.
Some reports claim Mutsvangwa was difficult to arrest as he blocked entry to his premises three times before he was found hiding behind a rubbish pile in his yard.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said the trio have been illegally dealing in forex for the past five years.
“Neville Sunungurai Mutsvangwa (44), Ellas Majachani (45) and Simbarashe Tichingana (38) were arraigned before the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing one count of contravening section 5(1)(a)(ii) of the Exchange Control Act [Chapter 22:05] as read with section 4(1)(a)(1) of the Exchange Control Regulations SI 109 of 1996 “Dealing in foreign currency”, one count of contravening the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act and another count of contravening the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act,” said the NPZA”
“The State is alleging that during the period extending from the 1st of January 2019 to the 8th of May 2024, the accused persons formed Mumba Money Transfer services without a license in violation of the Bank use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act and Exchange Control Act. They advertised on the internet directing clients to their offices in Harare. The accused persons employed a combination of electronic funds transfers and physical cash for their unlawful transactions, leveraging foreign bank accounts to obfuscate their activities.”
The NPAZ said the trio were arrested by the Police on the 8th of May 2024.
“The Police recovered four smartphones, 45 sim cards, four computers, one point of sale (POS) machine, 28 debit cards (including 15 VISA cards issued by foreign banks), three money counters and a register of transactions and US$3 890 cash.
“The State opposed bail and called the investigating officer to give viva voce evidence. The Court adjourned mid testimony. Bail hearing is set to continue on Monday the 13th of May 2024 at 0830,” said the NPAZ.
His mother, Minister Mutsvangwa has said the charges against her son are being fabricated.
“It’s definitely political victimisation because my son doesn’t trade in foreign currency, he doesn’t trade in ZiG so I don’t know what it is and why it had to wait for me to be out of the country. It appears it was timed to coincide with my absence.”
Neville is the the 44-year-old son of Zanu PF spokesman Chris Mutsvangwa and Women’s Affairs minister Monica Mutsvangwa.
