THE trial of former Cabinet minister Walter Mzembi formally commenced at the Harare High Court this Wednesday, with the State outlining allegations of criminal abuse of office linked to the disposal of government property.
The court heard that Mzembi, during his tenure as a Cabinet Minister, allegedly abused his position by authorising the donation of LED television sets valued at US$200 000 to Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, United Family International (UFI) Church and the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) without obtaining the requisite approval from the Treasury.
The charges relate to a total of US$2 million that was allocated by Treasury to the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality in 2010.
According to the State, the LED television sets were procured for public viewing at fan parks during the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosted by South Africa, but were later diverted from their intended purpose.
Mzembi has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The matter is continuing before the courts.THE trial of former Cabinet minister Walter Mzembi formally commenced at the Harare High Court this Wednesday, with the State outlining allegations of criminal abuse of office linked to the disposal of government property.
