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King Munhumutapa's trial begins
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The trial of self-styled King Munhumutapa, Timothy Chiminya, accused of undermining the authority of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, commenced today at the Harare Magistrates' Court.
Chiminya appeared before Magistrate Winfilda Tiyatara to face charges stemming from his controversial actions, which the State alleges violated both the Constitution and the Traditional Leaders Act.
According to the State's case, Chiminya claims he was appointed King Munhumutapa by a spirit medium — a title he allegedly uses to justify exercising authority to appoint and remove traditional leaders across the country.
The court heard that in February 2024, Chiminya visited the homestead of Chief Seke, Stanley Chimanike, who was lawfully appointed under Zimbabwean law. During the visit, Chiminya allegedly informed Chimanike that he had been removed from his position and declared Masimba Rubatika as the new Chief Seke.
Authorities from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works — which administers the Traditional Leaders Act — were notified of the incident, sparking an investigation.
Further allegations against Chiminya state that between June 11 and October 31, 2024, he appointed three more individuals as chiefs in the Chirumhanzu and Zaka districts without following legal processes.
The State maintains that Chiminya's actions constitute the creation of unlawful parallel governance structures and amount to an attempt to usurp executive powers vested in the President of Zimbabwe. Under the Constitution and the Traditional Leaders Act, the authority to appoint traditional leaders is the exclusive prerogative of the President.
Prosecutors argue that Chiminya's conduct undermines and ridicules the Office of the President and is a direct affront to the established constitutional order.
Chiminya has not yet entered a plea, and the court is expected to hear further evidence from both the prosecution and defense as the trial proceeds.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to its unusual spiritual and constitutional dimensions, and it is likely to reignite debate over traditional authority and governance in modern Zimbabwe.
Chiminya appeared before Magistrate Winfilda Tiyatara to face charges stemming from his controversial actions, which the State alleges violated both the Constitution and the Traditional Leaders Act.
According to the State's case, Chiminya claims he was appointed King Munhumutapa by a spirit medium — a title he allegedly uses to justify exercising authority to appoint and remove traditional leaders across the country.
The court heard that in February 2024, Chiminya visited the homestead of Chief Seke, Stanley Chimanike, who was lawfully appointed under Zimbabwean law. During the visit, Chiminya allegedly informed Chimanike that he had been removed from his position and declared Masimba Rubatika as the new Chief Seke.
Authorities from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works — which administers the Traditional Leaders Act — were notified of the incident, sparking an investigation.
The State maintains that Chiminya's actions constitute the creation of unlawful parallel governance structures and amount to an attempt to usurp executive powers vested in the President of Zimbabwe. Under the Constitution and the Traditional Leaders Act, the authority to appoint traditional leaders is the exclusive prerogative of the President.
Prosecutors argue that Chiminya's conduct undermines and ridicules the Office of the President and is a direct affront to the established constitutional order.
Chiminya has not yet entered a plea, and the court is expected to hear further evidence from both the prosecution and defense as the trial proceeds.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to its unusual spiritual and constitutional dimensions, and it is likely to reignite debate over traditional authority and governance in modern Zimbabwe.
Source - NewsDay
