Walter Mzembi

Walter Mzembi (born 16 March 1964)[1][2] is a Zimbabwean politician. He previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry.[3] He was the Member of the House of Assembly for Masvingo South (ZANU-PF). It was announced on November 27, 2017 that Simbarashe Mumbengegwi was now the acting Foreign Minister of Zimbabwe.[4]

The Right Honourable

Walter Mzembi

MP
Mzembi in 2016
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
9 October 2017 – 27 November 2017
PresidentRobert Mugabe
Emmerson Mnangagwa
Preceded bySimbarashe Mumbengegwi
Succeeded bySibusiso Moyo
Minister for Tourism
In office
13 February 2009 – 9 October 2017
PresidentRobert Mugabe
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byEdgar Mbwembwe
Personal details
Born (1964-03-16) 16 March 1964
Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe
Political partyZimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front
Spouse(s)Barbra Hernandes Mzembi,
ChildrenGabriella Mzembi, Tanya Mzembi other 5
Websitewww.waltermzembi.org

Early life

Mzembi was born to an Ndebele mother and a Karanga Shona father.[5]

Career

When the ZANU-PF–Movement for Democratic Change national unity government was sworn in on February 13, 2009, Mzembi became Minister of Tourism.[6]

He helped organize the UNWTO co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia in August 2013.[7][8] In 2017 Mzembi was the candidate of the African Union for the position of the 2018-21 Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization.[9]

On 19 November 2017, Mzembi was expelled from ZANU–PF by the party's central committee. Other prominent G40 politicians, including Grace Mugabe, Saviour Kasukuwere, Patrick Zhuwao, Ignatius Chombo, Jonathan Moyo, Shadreck Mashayamombe, Makhosini Hlongwane, Innocent Hamandishe, Samuel Undenge and Sarah Mahoka were also expelled from the party.[10] His predecessor, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, would also become acting Minister of Foreign Affairs on 27 November 2017 as well. He resurfaced at a scheduled parliamentary seating on the 28 November 2017 where he seemed jovial and loyal to the new leadership. He first went to greet First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa followed by handshakes with several other MPs.[11]

Corruption case

Mzembi was arrested on 5 January 2018 and appeared in court on the next day where he was granted bail. The case has however dragged with his lawyers citing his ill health. He was however seen in a video circulating on social media appearing fit.[12] He was arrested over allegedly misuse of resources meant for a tourism conference in 2013.[13].[14].

gollark: That does not mean "literally Satan" and wasn't said anyway.
gollark: "No"?
gollark: 🌵
gollark: Look, by the logic of "X and Y do thing so X is Y", itsya is.
gollark: The simple facts are that itsya is Hitler.

References
  1. "Index Mp-Mz". www.rulers.org.
  2. "Top 5 Things You Might Not Know About Walter Mzembi". 7 November 2016.
  3. "Cabinet reshuffled • 10 ministers reassigned new portfolios • Eight new appointments, 3 dropped". The Herald (Harare). 9 October 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  4. http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/headlines/mnangagwa-dissolves-cabinet-chinamasa-appointed-acting-finance-minister/
  5. Chronicle, The (2015-07-11). "Editorial Comment: Parliament must not restrict language use". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  6. "Cabinet sworn in amid chaotic scenes". NewZimbabwe.com. 13 Feb 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
  7. "UNWTO: Mzembi begs private sector aid". The Standard. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  8. "UNWTO inspection team satisfied — Mzembi". NewsDay Zimbabwe. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  9. "African Union wants Alain St.Ange to withdraw from his candidacy for UNWTO Secretary General". eTurboNews. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  10. Chidza, Richard (2017-11-20). "Zanu PF axe falls on Grace, G40 kingpins - NewsDay Zimbabwe". NewsDay Zimbabwe. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
  11. "G40 members 'resurrect' in Parliament". My Harare Times News. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  12. "Zimbabwe Charges Mugabe Loyalists With Corruption". Voice of America. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  13. "Ex-Cabinet ministers aligned with ousted Robert Mugabe face corruption charges in Zimbabwe". The Associated Press. 6 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  14. Moyo, Sekai (4 February 2019). "Job Sikhala's lies over ex Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi's 'illness' exposed". My Zimbabwe News. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019.
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