By Staff Reporter
MASVINGO – A popular saying in Zanu PF circles that “it’s cold out of the party” has been
proven right after former Cabinet Minister Walter Muzembi formally applied to rejoin the ruling
party, despite being among those purged and persecuted following the 2017 military-assisted
transition that ousted Robert Mugabe.
Muzembi, once Mugabe’s blue-eyed boy and a key member of the G40 faction, served as
Tourism Minister and later Foreign Affairs Minister. He was a prominent figure in the
succession battle against Mnangagwa’s Lacoste faction.
The application was heard during an emergency Provincial Executive Council (PEC) meeting
held recently at Masvingo Polytechnic. The PEC deliberated on the former minister’s request for
readmission.
“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 My membership was rescinded by a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. 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,” reads Muzembi’s letter, which was tabled before the PEC.
During the debate on the course of action, some party members welcomed his return on
condition that he would become a card-carrying member at the cell level and would not occupy
any leadership position. Others opposed the move, arguing that Mzembi had been attacking the
party on social media and therefore should not be readmitted.
The debate continued until Provincial Political Commissar Brian Munyoro proposed that
Muzembi should be summoned to the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) to answer
questions about his case before any decision could be made.
The PEC also resolved that some of his Facebook and X posts should be printed so that he could
defend himself against allegations that he had been critical of the party.
Muzembi’s application comes as several former G40 members have attempted to return to the
ruling party fold following Saviour Kasukuwere’s failed presidential bid in 2023.
Following the November 2017 coup, Muzembi 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.
His return to Zimbabwe in June 2025 was met with immediate arrest on outstanding warrants for
criminal abuse of office and theft of trust property.
However, in May 2026, he was acquitted of charges related 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.
