The trial of Neville Mutsvangwa failed to commence as scheduled on Thursday, with the State citing the need to finalise its investigations before proceeding with the case.
Neville and two alleged accomplices, Simbarashe Tichingana and Elias Majachani, are facing charges of illegal foreign currency dealings and money laundering.
They appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Simon Kandiyero on Wednesday, who subsequently postponed the matter to August 28.
In addition to the currency-related charges, Neville is also facing a separate charge of breaching the Telecommunications Act. He was allegedly found in possession of a Starlink router without authorisation.
The accused individuals are represented by their lawyer, Shepherd Makonde, and are out on US$1,000 bail each.
Neville is the son of Christopher Mutsvangwa, who serves as the ZANU PF spokesperson, and Monica Mutsvangwa, who holds the position of ZANU PF Women’s League’s Secretary for Administration and is also the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
Monica said the charges of illegal foreign currency trading against her son, Neville, were fabricated.
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Neville Mutsvangwa's trial did not start as planned because the State needed more time to investigate. Neville and two others are accused of doing illegal foreign currency business and money laundering. They were supposed to appear in front of a judge but it got pushed to August. Neville also has a charge for having a Starlink router without permission. He is out on bail along with his friends. Neville's mom, who is a minister, says the accusations are not true.

Neville Mutsvangwa's Trial Fails To Commence

Neville Sunungurai Mutsvangwa (44), and his co-accused Ellas Majachani (45) and Simbarashe Tichingana (38) have been denied bail.
The trio were remanded in custody to 30 May 2024.
Mutsvangwa, Majachani and Tichingana are facing one count of contravening section 5(1)(a)(ii) of the Exchange Control Act [Chapter 22:05] as read with section 4(1)(a)(1) of the Exchange Control Regulations SI 109 of 1996 “Dealing in foreign currency”, one count 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.
Mutsvangwa is also facing another charge of contravening the Postal and Telecommunications Act in that he was allegedly found unlawfully using Starlink equipment.
Mutsvangwa’s father Chris, who is the ZANU PF spokesperson, and his mother Monica, the Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, allege the charges of illegal foreign currency trading against their son were fabricated.
They both claim Neville’s arrest is politically motivated.
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Neville Mutsvangwa Denied Bail

Neville Sunungurai Mutsvangwa (44), who was arraigned before the Harare Magistrates Court on Friday, 10 May, with two others on allegations of dealing in currency, unlawful trading in cash, and money laundering, is facing another charge of contravening the Postal and Telecommunication Act.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), was allegedly found in possession of star link equipment. The NPA said:
<blockquote>
On the 9th of May 2024, the Police received a tip-off to the effect that the accused person was in possession of star link equipment.
The Police acted on the tip-off and proceeded to the accused person’s place of residence in Mount Pleasant where a star link router was recovered.
The accused person could not produce a license which gave him the authority to use the star link router.
The accused person was remanded in custody to Monday the 13th of May 2024 for continuation of his bail hearing.
</blockquote>
Mutsvangwa and his co-accused Ellas Majachani (45) and Simbarashe Tichingana (38) were also before the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing one count of contravening section 5(1)(a)(ii) of the Exchange Control Act [Chapter 22:05] as read with section 4(1)(a)(1) of the Exchange Control Regulations SI 109 of 1996 “Dealing in foreign currency”, one count 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.
Prosecutors alleged that during the period extending from 01 January 2019 to 08 May 2024, the accused persons formed Mumba Money Transfer services without a license in violation of the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act and Exchange Control Act.
The accused persons allegedly advertised on the internet directing clients to their offices in Harare. They employed a combination of electronic funds transfers and physical cash for their unlawful transactions, leveraging foreign bank accounts to obfuscate their activities.
Upon their arrest on Wednesday, 08 May 2024, Police recovered 4 smartphones, 45 sim cards, 4 computers, 1 point of sale (POS) machine, 28 debit cards (including 15 VISA cards issued by foreign banks), 3 money counters and a register of transactions and US$3890 cash.
The State opposed bail and called the investigating officer to give oral evidence. The Court adjourned mid-testimony. The bail hearing is set to continue on Monday, 13 April at 8:30 AM.
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