Self-proclaimed “King Munhumutapa,” Timothy Chiminya (58), has been sentenced to an effective eight months’ imprisonment by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for undermining the authority of the President.
According to court records, between 2019 and December 2024, the offender claimed to have been appointed King Munhumutapa and further claimed to have replaced the duly appointed Chief Seke with another individual.
The NPA said, “The offender also tried to dethrone the duly appointed Chief Nyakunhuwa and replace him with his candidate of choice. He was warned to cease his illegal activities through correspondence from the Ministry of Local Government dated 8 February 2022, but he ignored the warning and continued, leading to his arrest.”
It further stated that Chiminya was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, of which two months were suspended for five years.
“He will serve an effective eight months in prison. The offender’s self-proclaimed title of ‘King Munhumutapa’ and his attempts to install and dethrone traditional leaders directly challenged the executive authority vested in the President, who constitutionally appoints chiefs through the Ministry of Local Government.”
