Neville Musvangwa, the son Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa and Women’s Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, has been denied bail by a Harare magistrate for allegedly engaging in illegal foreign currency trading.
Nevile, whose father is also a war veteran and former cabinet minister, appeared before Dennis Mangosi with his accomplices Simbarashe Tichingana and Elis Majachani facing charges of contravening the Exchange Control Act and Exchange Regulations Act.
Mangosi remanded them in custody to the end of this month.
His parents strongly believe that the arrest is politically-motivated as Chris Mutsvangwa is said to be opposed to some Zanu PF activists’ calls for a third term for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Government officials are tightlipped about Nevile’s arrest.
The three accused are also facing charges of contravening the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act and another count of contravening the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act.
The state claims that they have overwhelming evidence against Neville and his two accomplices, who have pleaded not guilty. Neville is further accused of operating a Starlink satellite connection without government permission.
The state alleges that from January 2019 to May 8, 2024, the trio formed Mumba Money Transfer Services without a license in violation of the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering and Exchange Control Act.
They allegedly advertised on the internet directing clients to their offices in Harare and used a combination of electronic funds transfers and physical cash for their transactions, leveraging foreign bank accounts to “obfuscate their activities.”
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the police recovered four smartphones, 45 simcards, 4 computers, one point of sale machine, 28 debit cards (including 15 visa cards issued by foreign banks), three money counters and a register of transactions and US$3,890 cash.
Chris Mutsvangwa played a key role in the toppling of Mugabe, who protested over his forced removal from office and died in exile in 2019 at the age of 95.
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