MHARARE – Former Norton MP Temba Mliswa has angrily dismissed allegations that he “lured” exiled former foreign affairs minister Walter Mzembi back to Zimbabwe on behalf of state security agencies, insisting the decision to return was entirely Mzembi’s own.
Mzembi, who fled Zimbabwe in 2018 after facing corruption charges, was arrested as he re-entered the country from Zambia in July and held without bail. His return has been clouded by claims from opposition figures and activists that he was trapped by intelligence operatives, with Mliswa allegedly playing a key role.
In a lengthy statement on Wednesday, Mliswa hit back at what he described as “callous politicians” and “pseudo-journalists” who he accused of twisting facts.
“The Mzembi issue is an unfortunate exhibition of callous politicians conveniently altering facts & pseudo-journalists crafting an alternative reality for excitable masses to imbibe on,” Mliswa said. “It’s a total shame to accuse me or anyone of enticing him back. This was his own idea!”
Mliswa insisted that Mzembi personally approached him to facilitate discussions with authorities after breaking ranks with his long-time ally, former Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere.
“For more than a year and a half they [Mzembi and Kasukuwere] have never spoken. He felt unsafe, which is why he moved from SA to Zambia,” Mliswa explained.
He rejected accusations from Kasukuwere’s associates, singling out activist Ali Naka, whom he described as a “social media gun for hire.”
“All this talk about me selling him out is noonday hogwash. I’m no spy and never worked for CIO,” Mliswa said. “Ali is working for his food and will peddle any nonsense he is fed.”
Kasukuwere labelled Mliswa a “liar” and doubled down on accusations that he “betrayed” Mzembi, adding: “He should stop digging.”
The outspoken former legislator said he has consistently advocated for the return of Zimbabweans in exile, including Kasukuwere himself in 2018, when he similarly helped initiate dialogue with authorities.
“Whatever else they agreed or didn’t I was never part of,” Mliswa said. “Accusations of betrayal are outright fabrications.”
He also lashed out at what he said was the exploitation of Susan Mutami, the mother of one of his children, in efforts to bolster the allegations against him, saying she was being “abused” because of her mental health challenges.
Mliswa concluded that Mzembi’s decision to return home was a personal choice: “That is never selling out or enticing anyone!”
Mzembi, who is reportedly ill in prison, has not spoken about his decision to return home.
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