Chombo made his house a mini central bank before he was arrested by the army

Harare, Nov. 24, 2017 (AltAfrika)-In what appears to be a test of what to come under the leadership of Emerson Mnangagwa in new Zimbabwe, the Finance Minister under Mugabe, Ignatius Chombo, who was detained last week during a military coup, has been handed over to police, the lawyer representing him said on Friday.

Prof. Lovemore Madhuku added that Chombo had also been hospitalised.

Madhuku said the minister would appear in court, likely on charges of abuse of office, but that the minister was at Harare’s main hospital as he was not well, though he did not specify further.

Human Rights Watch — Southern African Director, Dewa Mavhinga confirmed Chombo’s reappearance on Twitter.

“Soldiers tonight dropped off Chombo at his house after days of military detention.

Law and Order police then arrested him and said they are taking him to Rhodesville police station,” he tweeted late on Thursday.

Chombo was among several Mugabe allies reported by media to have been arrested after the military takeover on Nov.17 that forced the leader out after 37 years resign.

(dpa/NAN)