Neville Mutsvangwa, the son of Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa and Women’s Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, has been detained by authorities in an unexpected turn of events.
The crackdown on unlicensed money changers has intensified, with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducting a raid on Neville Mutsvangwa’s residence in Mt. Pleasant and detaining him on Wednesday afternoon.
Although the police have not confirmed Neville Mutsvangwa’s arrest publicly, a reliable source within the police department has revealed that the reason for his detention was illegal foreign currency dealing.
“Neville Mutsvangwa has just been arrested today at his Mt Pleasant home for illegally trading in foreign currency,” a source within the police told NewZimbabwe.com
Before his arrest, Neville posted the number 18.25 enclosed in double brackets on his WhatsApp status, which some interpret as indicating the black market ZiG exchange rate.
Also Read: Mutsvangwa sabotaging RBZ: Ex-Governor Gono Responds to ‘lies’; about Stolen Gold
An audio is circulating on social media allegedly of Neville’s mother Monica Mutsvangwa saying that the arrest is political.
“This arrest is political, why did they have to do it while I am out of the country, my son does not deal in forex”, she is supposedly heard saying.
An audio allegedly of Monica Mutsvangwa reaction after news of Neville Mutsvangwa’s arrest. pic.twitter.com/iv9RbUVf4r
— Gerrard Anko Ged Belts (@MacBelts) May 8, 2024
Of note, however, this would not be the first time that Neville Mutsvangwa has faced legal scrutiny for involvement in illegal foreign currency trading.
In May 2019, four police detectives were arrested for under-declaring the money seized during a raid on Neville’s illegal foreign currency trading business.
The detectives raided number 3 Sanfenand Flats on Fife Avenue in Harare, the offices of Neville Mutsvangwa, and found US$200,000 in cash.
During the raid, which took place at Neville’s office at number 3 Sanfenand Flats on Fife Avenue in Harare, the detectives discovered US$200,000 in cash. Although Neville was not present then, his associates Darlington Ndaba Chiwara and Henry Abrahams were arrested on charges of illegally dealing in foreign exchange.
Investigations revealed that police officers, after being allegedly bribed by Chiwara and Abrahams, conspired to seize only US$40,000 of the money. This amount was further reduced to US$20,000 when it was declared at the police station.
Zimbabweans are eager to see how far the prosecution will go in ensuring justice since he is the son of a political big fish. 65 illegal forex dealers spent many days detained and denied bail recently.
How he is treated will give us a clue pertaining to where things are btn his father and the Big Chief. If the whole enchilada is thrown at him & we see leg chains, handcuffs, denial of bail etc, then anyura. If he doesn't spend a day in gaol then it's the DJ Biscuit theme song! https://t.co/U0qXNk77o5
— Brighton Mutebuka (@BMutebuka) May 8, 2024
