Former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has vehemently denied allegations that he played a role in luring exiled former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi back to Zimbabwe, where he was subsequently arrested and detained. The claims, which have circulated widely on social media platforms, suggest that Mliswa colluded with state security agencies to trick Mzembi into returning home. Mliswa, however, has dismissed the accusations as “shameful lies” meant to tarnish his image.
Mzembi, who fled Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the November 2017 ouster of the late President Robert Mugabe, has reportedly endured significant health challenges since his detention. His supporters and sympathisers argue that he was betrayed by individuals he trusted, with Mliswa often singled out as the alleged conspirator. But in a strongly worded response, Mliswa insisted that such claims are false, politically motivated, and damaging not only to him but also to broader efforts at reconciliation.
Mliswa Rejects Allegations of Betraying Exiled Former Minister Mzembi
Taking to social media, the outspoken former MP accused “callous politicians” and “pseudo-journalists” of manufacturing false narratives for factional and personal gain.
“The Mzembi issue is an unfortunate exhibition of callous politicians conveniently altering facts and pseudo-journalists crafting an alternative reality. It’s a total shame to accuse me or anyone of enticing him back. This was his own idea,” Mliswa wrote.
According to Mliswa, Mzembi himself initiated conversations about returning to Zimbabwe after feeling increasingly unsafe while in exile. He claimed that tensions between Mzembi and fellow exiled politician Saviour Kasukuwere contributed to the former minister’s decision to seek a way back home.
“For more than a year and a half they had never spoken. He felt unsafe, which is why he moved from South Africa to Zambia,” Mliswa explained, adding that he only acted as a facilitator in conversations, not as an agent of the state.
A central aspect of the accusations is that Mliswa allegedly collaborated with the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) to entrap Mzembi. Mliswa dismissed this notion as “hogwash,” stating categorically that he has never been a spy or worked for state security structures.
“All this talk about me selling him out is noonday hogwash. I’m no spy and never worked for the CIO,” he declared.
He further argued that such allegations are being peddled by individuals seeking to score cheap political points or to keep factional battles within the ruling ZANU-PF party alive.
Mliswa pointed fingers at political activist Ali Naka and other commentators who have repeatedly circulated the allegations on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. He described their claims as baseless and intended to manipulate public perception.
“These narratives are being pushed by people with factional agendas, trying to settle scores and using Mzembi’s plight as ammunition,” Mliswa said.
He maintained that his involvement with exiled political figures has always been consistent: advocating for dialogue and safe reintegration into Zimbabwean society.
Citing past instances, Mliswa reminded critics that he has consistently supported the idea of exiled politicians returning home. In 2018, he said he assisted both Mzembi and Kasukuwere when they approached him for help.
“I have always advocated for the return of everyone in exile. For both Mzembi and Kasukuwere in 2018, when approached I simply spoke with the powers that be and facilitated engagements. Whatever else they agreed or didn’t, I was never part of it,” he reiterated.
This, he argued, demonstrates a pattern of consistency rather than betrayal.
The controversy has also drawn in Mliswa’s personal life, with his ex-partner, Susan Mutami, being mentioned in the debate. Mliswa condemned what he described as the unnecessary and harmful dragging of her name into political disputes.
“It is cruel and unacceptable to abuse Susan Mutami’s name, particularly given her health condition. She must be left out of this political drama,” Mliswa said.
He urged political actors to show restraint and decency when dealing with such sensitive issues.
The saga underscores the contentious legacy of Zimbabwe’s post-2017 political transition, with many former Mugabe-era officials still in exile and debates continuing about whether they should be allowed to return without fear of persecution.
While the accusations against Mliswa have caused a storm on social media, his emphatic denial shifts the focus back to the broader question of how Zimbabwe should handle reconciliation with its political exiles. For now, the former Norton MP insists that he remains committed to fostering dialogue and refuses to let what he calls “fabricated lies” distract him from that mission.
Source- Bulawayo24
