The son of a Zimbabwe minister and a father who was an architect of the 2017 defacto military coup which resulted in the toppling of former President Robert Mugabe, has been remanded in custody for allegedly conducting illegal foreign currency deals and operating a radio signal without permission.
Neville Mutsvangwa, the son of Women’s Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and war veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa who was recently sacked by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, appeared in court Friday with two accomplices for allegedly contravening some sections of the Exchange Control Act and Exchange Regulations Act by “dealing in foreign currency”.
Neville, (44), Elias Majachani (45) and Simbarashe Tichingana (38), who pleaded not guilty, are expected to appear in court next Monday. 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.
In its state outline, prosecutors claim that they have overwhelming evidence against Neville and his two accomplices. 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, I 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. Neville’s attorneys 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.
VOA Zimbabwe Service correspondents contributed to this article
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