“I’m no spy”: Mliswa rejects accusations of luring Mzembi back to Zimbabwe

HARARE – Former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has dismissed accusations that he played a role in enticing former cabinet minister Walter Mzembi back to Zimbabwe, insisting the former Foreign Affairs minister returned on his own accord after falling out with political allies.

In a lengthy statement, Mliswa described as “fabrications” allegations that he collaborated with the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) to lure Mzembi home, arguing that the ex-minister had voluntarily approached him seeking facilitation of engagements with authorities.

“The Mzembi issue is an unfortunate exhibition of callous politicians conveniently altering facts and pseudo-journalists crafting an alternative reality for excitable masses to imbibe on.

“It’s a total shame to accuse me or anyone of enticing him back. This was his own idea,” Mliswa said.

He added that Mzembi, who had been based in South Africa since 2018, relocated to Zambia after a rift with former Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, and later sought his assistance to re-engage Zimbabwean authorities.

“All this talk about me selling him out is noonday hogwash. I’m no spy and never worked for CIO. Mzembi is not a victim of anything I did but of that which compelled him to flee from SA,” Mliswa said, also dismissing accusations made by political activist Ali Naka.

He added: “I have always advocated for the return of everyone in exile and for the government powers to let bygones be bygones. Because of that I always never hesitate to engage relevant authorities when someone seeks to return home. That is never selling out or enticing anyone!”

His remarks come as Mzembi, 61, remains in remand prison following his arrest in June after unexpectedly returning to Zimbabwe.

Last month, the High Court in Harare dismissed Mzembi’s appeal for bail pending trial, upholding an earlier ruling by a magistrate’s court.

Justice Regis Dembure found that the former tourism minister could not be trusted to appear in court, citing his previous failure to return after being granted leave in 2018 to seek cancer treatment in South Africa.

“He needs to put this court into confidence that if he is released on bail, he is not going to abscond again. This court is not convinced that the accused person will stand trial if he is released on bail,” Justice Dembure ruled.

Mzembi is facing multiple allegations of theft of trust property and abuse of office.

Prosecutors say he unlawfully disposed of 16 giant television screens worth about US$800,000 that the government bought for public viewing during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The State alleges the equipment was distributed to churches and institutions without Treasury approval.

He is also accused of misappropriating funds raised for the 20th United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly, which Zimbabwe co-hosted with Zambia in 2013.

According to prosecutors, part of the sponsorship was channelled into an unregistered trust account, and three vehicles bought with the money were converted for personal use.

Mzembi, who previously served as Masvingo South Member of Parliament, fled Zimbabwe in 2018 while on bail and remained in South Africa for about seven years.

In 2021, state media reported that the government had requested his extradition from Pretoria, but the process did not materialise.

Reports in local media suggest the former minister’s health is deteriorating while in custody.