Former cabinet minister Walter Mzembi has formally applied to rejoin ZANU PF after being expelled from the party following the 2017 military-assisted transition that ousted Robert Mugabe.
Mzembi, once regarded as a key member of the G40 faction, served as tourism minister and later foreign affairs minister.
He was appointed foreign affairs minister at the height of ZANU PF factional battles between G40 and the Lacoste faction.
His application was heard during an emergency Provincial Executive Council (PEC) meeting held recently at Masvingo Polytechnic, where members deliberated on his request for readmission.
Muzembi’s letter, which was tabled before the PEC, reads in part: “I write to respectfully apply for readmission into ZANU PF. My membership was rescinded by a special emergency central committee meeting on November 19, 2017.
“I sincerely wish to renew my membership and contribute positively to its programmes and activities. ZAU PF is a party of depth, and I wish to contribute to its development. I commit to uphold the constitution of the party if readmitted.”
During the debate, some party members said they will welcome his return on condition that he becomes a card-carrying member at cell level and does not occupy any leadership position.
Others opposed his readmission, arguing that Mzembi had been attacking the party on social media.
The debate continued until provincial political commissar Brian Munyoro proposed that Mzembi be summoned to the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) to answer questions about his case before a decision is made.
The PEC also resolved that some of his Facebook and X posts should be printed so he could respond to allegations that he had been critical of the party.
Following the November 2017 coup, Mzembi was expelled from ZANU PF, fled into exile in South Africa and later Zambia, and faced corruption charges linked to his tenure as tourism minister.
He returned to Zimbabwe in June 2025 and was arrested on outstanding warrants for criminal abuse of office and theft of trust property.
However, in May 2026, he was acquitted of charges relating to the donation of four LED television sets valued at US$200,000, which he had given to churches including Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church without Treasury approval.
More: TellZim News
