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Mzembi seeks cancellation of arrest warrants on medical grounds
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Former Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi appeared before Harare regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei yesterday, requesting the cancellation of three outstanding warrants of arrest on the basis that he defaulted due to medical reasons.
Mzembi, who is represented by lawyer Killian Mandiki, filed written submissions arguing that when he applied for the release of his passport in 2018, he indicated his intention to seek medical treatment abroad after being diagnosed with cancer. His defence asserts that his health condition required ongoing, critical care and medication, which necessitated travel outside the country.
In the application heard yesterday, the defence maintained that Mzembi returned to Zimbabwe voluntarily and without any form of threat or enticement. They further argued that cancelling the warrants would not prejudice the State, and that investigations should be logically concluded.
Mandiki also emphasized that his client has a fit and proper defence to the charges he faces and expressed willingness to surrender Mzembi's passport-the primary travel document used in his 2018 departure-if the court deems it necessary.
"My client has not employed any tactics to evade the borders but left and returned using proper channels, showing he is a law-abiding citizen who respects and upholds the laws of Zimbabwe," Mandiki told the court.
The prosecution, represented by acting deputy prosecutor-general Tendai Shonhayi, indicated that a response to the written submissions would be filed by the end of the day.
Mzembi was arrested last week by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) for allegedly breaching bail conditions in two separate cases. The charges involve theft of trust property and failure to return a passport that was released for a specific period.
Magistrate Ndirowei postponed the matter to today for a possible ruling on the default inquiry regarding the warrants of arrest.
Mzembi, who is represented by lawyer Killian Mandiki, filed written submissions arguing that when he applied for the release of his passport in 2018, he indicated his intention to seek medical treatment abroad after being diagnosed with cancer. His defence asserts that his health condition required ongoing, critical care and medication, which necessitated travel outside the country.
In the application heard yesterday, the defence maintained that Mzembi returned to Zimbabwe voluntarily and without any form of threat or enticement. They further argued that cancelling the warrants would not prejudice the State, and that investigations should be logically concluded.
Mandiki also emphasized that his client has a fit and proper defence to the charges he faces and expressed willingness to surrender Mzembi's passport-the primary travel document used in his 2018 departure-if the court deems it necessary.
"My client has not employed any tactics to evade the borders but left and returned using proper channels, showing he is a law-abiding citizen who respects and upholds the laws of Zimbabwe," Mandiki told the court.
The prosecution, represented by acting deputy prosecutor-general Tendai Shonhayi, indicated that a response to the written submissions would be filed by the end of the day.
Mzembi was arrested last week by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) for allegedly breaching bail conditions in two separate cases. The charges involve theft of trust property and failure to return a passport that was released for a specific period.
Magistrate Ndirowei postponed the matter to today for a possible ruling on the default inquiry regarding the warrants of arrest.
Source - NewsDay
