Mnangagwa petitioned over Mzembi detention

Published: 3 hours ago

A global non-governmental organisation, the African Forum for Cultural Diplomacy (AFFCD), has written to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, expressing deep concern over the arrest and prolonged detention of former Cabinet minister and AFFCD leader, Walter Mzembi.

Mzembi, who served as Zimbabwe's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism under the late former President Robert Mugabe, returned to Zimbabwe earlier this year after several years in self-imposed exile. He left the country following the 2017 military coup that ousted Mugabe and installed Mnangagwa as president.

Upon his return, Mzembi was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), and his repeated attempts to secure bail have so far been unsuccessful.

In a letter dated September 11, AFFCD secretary-general Pardon Tapfumaneyi, based in the United Kingdom, appealed directly to Mnangagwa for Mzembi's release. The organisation described the matter as one of "utmost gravity and concern," citing human rights, diplomatic protocols, and rule of law issues.

"His continued detention without bail or a trial date, despite his deteriorating health, is a matter of grave concern," the letter read. It added that Zimbabwe, as a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, is expected to uphold global standards of accountability and human rights.

AFFCD also highlighted that Mzembi was invited back to Zimbabwe under assurances from Mnangagwa's office to engage in cultural diplomacy efforts and should have been granted diplomatic protections under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).

"Mzembi has engaged the Commonwealth Secretariat, the British Foreign Affairs Department, and both the House of Lords and Commons to reintegrate Zimbabwe into the international community and the Commonwealth," the letter noted. It added that he had formulated a framework for a potential summit supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin.

The letter further warned that Mzembi's declining health during custody raised serious concerns about his well-being and called for "the unconditional release of Mzembi, who appears to be a victim of circumstance." His next remand date is scheduled for September 25 at Rotten Row Magistrates Court 14.

As of yesterday, Mnangagwa's office had not responded to AFFCD's appeal.
- Southern Eye

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