By The highly anticipated trial of self-proclaimed King Munhumutapa, Timothy Chiminya, is set to commence tomorrow at the Harare Magistrates Court before Magistrate Winfilda Tiyatara. Chiminya faces serious charges of undermining the authority of the President following a series of controversial actions that challenged the country’s constitutional order.
According to the State, Chiminya claims his kingship was conferred upon him by a spirit medium, granting him the authority to appoint and remove traditional leaders—power that is constitutionally reserved for the President under the Traditional Leaders Act.
The charges stem from incidents dating back to February 2024, when Chiminya allegedly informed the legally recognised Chief Seke, Stanley Chimanike, that he had been dethroned and replaced by Masimba Rubatika. This led to a formal report being filed with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in June. Further allegations reveal that between June and October, Chiminya went on to appoint three additional chiefs in Chirumhanzu and Zaka, bypassing legal protocols and disrupting established traditional leadership structures.
The prosecution argues that these actions not only violated the Traditional Leaders Act but also ridiculed and attempted to usurp the constitutional powers of the Head of State by establishing a parallel traditional governance system.
As TechmagTV reported in an exclusive interview with Chiminya last year, the man at the centre of this legal storm asserted his identity as “Changamire Munhumutapa Mambo.” In that conversation, Chiminya boldly claimed that he is the rightful heir to the ancient Munhumutapa throne, and even went as far as to say that the President of Zimbabwe should be ordained by him.
His declarations sparked widespread debate on the role of traditional authority in a modern constitutional democracy, with some viewing his actions as a cultural assertion while others interpret them as an outright challenge to the rule of law.
As the trial unfolds, it is expected to draw national attention, raising critical questions about the intersection of tradition, spirituality, and state authority in contemporary Zimbabwe. TechmagTV will continue to follow this developing story and provide in-depth coverage from the courtroom.
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