Outcry over 'bizarre' fines at Chief Gutu's court

Villagers in Gutu have raised alarm over what they describe as "bizarre" and punitive charges allegedly being imposed at the court of Lawrence Chigariro, with some practices sparking outrage among local communities.

Investigations reveal that on March 19, 2026, individuals attending court proceedings at Mpandawana were allegedly asked to pay US$10 each merely to observe hearings  -  a move critics say undermines the principle that court proceedings are public and freely accessible.

Although the payment was not enforced on the day due to heavy rains disrupting proceedings, the demand has drawn sharp criticism from villagers and observers.

Further controversy arose during the same sitting when Chief Gutu summoned two widows whose husbands had died by suicide. The widows  -  from Headman Mawere's area  -  were ordered to pay US$30 and provide two goats each as a form of "cleansing" the land, after the chief declared that the deaths had defiled his jurisdiction.

The ruling left affected families shocked, with some community members describing the penalties as outdated and insensitive, particularly given the economic hardships faced by widows now supporting their children alone.

Sources within the community allege that the chief had initially proposed even harsher penalties, including demanding cattle from bereaved spouses, but scaled back following resistance from aides.

When approached for comment, Chief Gutu denied the allegations, stating that his court only charges standard fees of US$40 per case  -  shared between the court and messengers who serve summons.

However, the controversy has attracted attention from authorities. Gabriel Masvora, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government, said while traditional leaders are permitted to levy nominal charges, these must not be punitive.

The issue comes barely a month after another dispute involving Chief Gutu, who reportedly required village heads to contribute US$10 each towards the Zunde raMambo scheme, with households contributing US$1. The initiative, which is traditionally voluntary, reportedly generated over US$10,000, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

Previously, Felix Chikovo had cautioned that participation in Zunde raMambo should not be forced, stressing that communities are expected to contribute voluntarily, primarily through labour rather than financial payments.

The developments have intensified debate over the role and limits of traditional courts, with calls growing for closer oversight to ensure practices align with national laws and human rights standards.