Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
THE High Court is set to deliver a verdict on May 14 in the case of former Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Walter Mzembi, who faces charges of criminal abuse of office.
Justice Benjamin Chikowero is presiding over the matter, which centres on the alleged improper donation of four public viewing screens, valued at US$200 000, to churches without proper authorisation.
The development follows the submission of closing arguments by both the prosecution and the defence. According to the State, the Treasury released US$2 million for the procurement of 40 public viewing screens intended to facilitate the broadcast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
While 36 of these screens were distributed to provinces and public institutions under specific conditions, Mzembi is accused of personally authorising the donation of the remaining four screens to the United Family International Church, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries and the Zion Christian Church without Treasury approval.
The prosecution alleges that the donations were made in Mzembi’s personal capacity and were not in line with official Government policy.
In his defence, Mzembi has denied any wrongdoing, claiming his actions were authorised by his superiors as part of a broader initiative to promote religious tourism. However, the court was not presented with any documentary evidence to support these claims.
