Neville Mutsvangwa, the son of a cabinet minister and Zanu PF spokesperson, is expected to appear in court in Harare on Monday seeking bail for allegedly conducting illegal money transactions and operating an unsanctioned Starlink satellite radio signal.
Neville is the son of Women’s Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa who are claiming that his arrest is politically-motivated.
He was arrested with two accomplices - Elias Majachani (45) and Simbarashe Tichingana (38) for allegedly contravening the Exchange Control Act and Exchange Regulations Act. They 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 advertised on the internet directing clients to their offices in Harare. The accused persons employed a combination of electronic funds transfers and physical cash for their unlawful 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.
The state opposed bail and Neville’s attorneys last Friday refused to speak to the press, saying they have not been instructed by their client to do so.
His father, Chris, 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.
Mutsvangwa is allegedly opposed to some Zanu PF activists’ push for a third term for President Mnangagwa.