…Left with nothing after wife allegedly sells off properties worth over us$2 million
By TellZim Reporter
MASVINGO – Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi, once touted as the late former President Robert Mugabe’s blue-eyed boy and rumoured to have been groomed for the country’s top job, is reportedly facing financial insolvency after his wife, Barbra Hernandez, allegedly sold properties worth over US$2million and vanished, leaving the once-powerful politician with next to nothing.
Mzembi’s misfortunes allegedly took place after he went into self-exile together with other Generation Forty (G40) remnants, including Saviour Kasukuwere, following the ousting of the former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017.
Contacted for comment by TellZim News, Mzembi seemed to insinuate that properties sold could be worth more than the rumoured US$2 million although in a sarcastic manner. “US$2 million yoga here? (Just US$2million)?” asked Mzembi.
He further highlighted that he had accepted the defeat, but hastened to say that he will use his brains to bounce back.
“Haa makuhwa ayo asi chero vakatora kuti vakatora nenjere here? (These are just mere rumours; but even if it’s true, did they take all brick and mortar and my brains?” Mzembi said.
Pressed to clarify how his wife could have accessed properties they allegedly co-owned, Mzembi played around with words, suggesting she had sold properties that she owned.
“Is anyone complaining that she sold her own properties? Haven’t I complained as a co-owner, as you say? There is nothing I have confirmed here; I am simply saying is there a complaint that she sold her own properties. I have my own stock of assets, and I have not complained to anyone, so who is more bereaved?” he said.
Though he claimed that he has own stock of assets, Mzembi is currently staying with his nephew Amiel Matindike’s house in Harare amid allegations that all his houses were sold while he was in self-exile.
Recent pictures of Mzembi, however, seem to confirm the rumours that he was left with almost nothing, as he has been making public appearances with one purple suit or it could be one of the many that he owns.
Mzembi was recently seen at Chevron Hotel, his pictures during his case trial which he was ultimately acquitted, and more recently at late Sekuru Tinos Jesmiel Rushwaya’s funeral, father to Chief Secretary to President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, suggest that he currently has one special purple suit.
It has since become easily predictable that he would feature at any public events clad in one and only but nice purple suit.
Sources close to the matter say the former minister was left with nothing to his name and is now living at the mercy of his nephew, Amiel Matindike, whose mother is an aunt to the Mzembis.
The Matindikes are also close relatives of the prominent Zvobgo family. It was Matindike who reportedly saw to Mzembi’s welfare during his time in prison.
Mzembi returned to Zimbabwe in June 2025 amid reports that he was seeking to rejoin the ruling party, but was arrested shortly after his arrival on charges of criminal abuse of office, in which he was accused of unlawfully donating public viewing television screens to churches.
Mzembi spent close to a year in jail before being acquitted on May 13, 2026.
A legal expert who spoke to TellZim News said one partner could not sell co-owned properties without the consent of the other, suggesting that either his wife had sole ownership or she used fraudulent means.
“Consent is required when selling co-owned properties. In fact, the co-owner has to sign the agreement of sale.
If they are not available, they can give power of attorney instructing them to sell and advise what to do with their share of the purchase,” said the lawyer.
Mzembi first rose to power as Masvingo South Constituency Member of Parliament in 2004 after winning a by-election following the death of Eddison Zvobgo.
He was re-elected in 2005, 2008, and 2013, and held the position of Agriculture, Lands and Resettlement Portfolio Committee Chairperson in Parliament.
He was also appointed head of the Zimbabwe Delegation to the ACP/EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Europe from 2004 to 2007.
Sources said Mzembi was now trying to rejoin Zanu PF in a bid to resuscitate his political career.
His application for readmission was recently tabled before the party’s Provincial Executive Council. Sources say he is seeking to get close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who promised him a car and a farmer.
In fact, sources said he is expected to visit Mnangagwa’s Pricabe Farm any time soon to meet the President.
The property saga adds to the former minister’s misfortunes.
