By A Correspondent | Former Tourism and Foreign Affairs minister Walter Mzembi, once a powerful figure in ZANU PF’s G40 faction, is seeking a political comeback nearly nine years after his expulsion from the ruling party — a move that comes amid a dramatic reversal in his political fortunes and reports that his marriage to Barbara Mzembi has ended.
Mzembi has formally applied to rejoin ZANU PF after being expelled on November 19, 2017, in the aftermath of the military-assisted transition that toppled former president Robert Mugabe.
His application was considered at an emergency Provincial Executive Council (PEC) meeting held recently at Masvingo Polytechnic, where provincial leaders debated whether to readmit the former minister.
Mzembi, 62, reportedly wrote to the party asking to renew his membership and pledging to abide by its constitution.
“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 My membership was rescinded by a special emergency central committee meeting on November 19, 2017,” he wrote.
“I sincerely wish to renew my membership and contribute positively to its programmes and activities. ZANU 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.”
The application has, however, exposed lingering divisions over Mzembi’s role in the bitter G40-Lacoste succession struggle that preceded Mugabe’s removal.
Some provincial members reportedly supported his return but said he should first become a card-carrying member at cell level and should not be given a leadership position.
Others opposed his readmission, accusing him of attacking ZANU PF on social media.
The matter was subsequently referred for further scrutiny after provincial political commissar Brian Munyoro proposed that Mzembi be summoned before the Provincial Coordinating Committee to respond to questions surrounding his application.
The PEC also resolved that some of his Facebook and X posts be printed and presented to him so he can respond to allegations that he had criticised the party.
Mzembi’s bid for readmission follows years of political exile, legal battles and a prolonged period away from the centre of Zimbabwean politics.
After the November 2017 political upheaval, he fled Zimbabwe and spent years in exile, principally in South Africa and later Zambia. He returned to Zimbabwe in June 2025 and was arrested on outstanding warrants arising from corruption allegations dating back to his time in government.
He was subsequently remanded in custody for nearly a year before being granted US$1,000 bail in May 2026.
Mzembi was acquitted by the High Court in May 2026 on a charge of criminal abuse of office linked to four government-owned public viewing screens allegedly given to churches without Treasury approval.
Justice Benjamin Chikowero found that the State had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, including failing to call a key former permanent secretary whose evidence was considered material to the prosecution.
His political collapse followed his rise as one of Mugabe’s most prominent ministers. Mzembi served as Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister from 2009 until October 2017 and became internationally prominent during Zimbabwe’s campaign for the leadership of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
He was appointed Foreign Affairs minister in October 2017, only weeks before Mugabe’s government collapsed.
Mzembi was subsequently expelled from ZANU PF alongside other figures associated with G40, which had been locked in a succession battle with the Lacoste faction aligned to current President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
His return bid now places him in the uncomfortable position of seeking readmission to the same party that expelled him at the height of the succession struggle.
The move also comes as his personal circumstances have reportedly changed.
Social media posts circulating this month claim that Barbara Mzembi, his wife, has moved on and is in a new relationship with an unidentified man. One post featured a romantic collage of Barbara with the man and described the development as a “new chapter” and “more love”.
The claims have not been independently confirmed by either Barbara or Walter Mzembi, and it remains unclear whether the couple are formally divorced or when their relationship may have ended.
Barbara was previously a public figure in Zimbabwe through her involvement in tourism and the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe pageant during her husband’s tenure as Tourism minister.
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