Former Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has strongly rejected accusations that he played a part in luring exiled ex-Cabinet Minister Walter Mzembi back into the country on behalf of state security agents.
Mzembi, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, was arrested in June 2025 upon returning from Zambia. He had been living in exile since fleeing Zimbabwe in 2018, amid ongoing corruption charges. He is currently detained without bail.
Some opposition figures and political commentators have suggested that Mzembi may have been deceived into returning, allegedly through the involvement of state intelligence agencies—with Mliswa being accused of facilitating the move.
However, in a statement released on Wednesday, Mliswa hit back at what he described as a coordinated misinformation campaign by political opportunists and biased media actors.
“The Mzembi issue is yet another example of cynical politicians twisting facts and pseudo-journalists creating a fictional narrative for public consumption. It’s shameful to accuse me—or anyone—of coercing him to come back. The decision was entirely his,” said Mliswa.
He further explained that Mzembi, who had been based in South Africa since his departure, later moved to Zambia after a fallout with former ZANU PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere. It was from there, Mliswa claims, that Mzembi reached out for assistance in reconnecting with Zimbabwean authorities.
“All these claims of betrayal are complete nonsense. I’ve never worked for the CIO and have no affiliation with any intelligence body,” said Mliswa.
“Mzembi’s return was not orchestrated by me. He returned because of circumstances he alone can explain.”
Mliswa reiterated his long-standing position that Zimbabwe should open its doors to exiles willing to return home, advocating for reconciliation and dialogue.
“I’ve always supported reintegration of political exiles. When people seek help to come back, I do what I can to facilitate communication. That is not betrayal—it’s nation-building,” he added.
Last month, the High Court in Harare dismissed Mzembi’s application for bail, upholding an earlier magistrate’s court ruling. Justice Regis Dembure noted that Mzembi had previously absconded court after being granted temporary leave in 2018 to undergo cancer treatment in South Africa, undermining trust in his willingness to stand trial.
Mzembi is facing multiple charges, including theft of trust property and abuse of office. One case involves the alleged unauthorised distribution of 16 large television screens, reportedly purchased by the government for the 2010 FIFA World Cup at a value of approximately US$800,000. Prosecutors say the screens were handed over to churches and other groups without official approval.
In a separate charge, he is accused of misusing funds raised for the 20th UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly in 2013, co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia. Authorities allege that part of the sponsorship money was diverted into an unregistered trust account and used to purchase three vehicles for personal benefit.
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