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Court overturns 'King Munhumutapa' conviction
4 hrs ago |
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The High Court has overturned the conviction and 10‑month jail sentence imposed on traditional leader Timothy Chiminya - who refers to himself as King Munhumutapa - after he was found guilty last year of allegedly undermining or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Chiminya was convicted by Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on 10 November 2025 and sentenced on 13 November 2025. He had been arrested on 16 December 2024 and charged with contravening section 33 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which criminalises undermining the authority of the President.
Prosecutors alleged that Chiminya insulted the President's authority by purporting to appoint traditional chiefs - a function reserved for the Head of State - and by allegedly claiming to dethrone some traditional leaders.
However, on 20 February 2026, High Court judges Justice Benjamin Chikowero and Justice Maxwell Takuva quashed both the conviction and sentence, effectively acquitting Chiminya after upholding his appeal.
Chiminya was represented by Gift Mtisi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Chiminya was convicted by Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on 10 November 2025 and sentenced on 13 November 2025. He had been arrested on 16 December 2024 and charged with contravening section 33 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which criminalises undermining the authority of the President.
Prosecutors alleged that Chiminya insulted the President's authority by purporting to appoint traditional chiefs - a function reserved for the Head of State - and by allegedly claiming to dethrone some traditional leaders.
However, on 20 February 2026, High Court judges Justice Benjamin Chikowero and Justice Maxwell Takuva quashed both the conviction and sentence, effectively acquitting Chiminya after upholding his appeal.
Chiminya was represented by Gift Mtisi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Source - Byo24News
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