Harare magistrate Sharon Rakafa on Thursday sentenced self-proclaimed King Munhumutapa, Timothy Chiminya, to 10 months in custody on charges of undermining President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Magistrate Rakafa suspended two months on condition of good behaviour, leaving the self-proclaimed king to serve an effective eight months sentence.
Prosecutors submitted that Chiminya claims that he was appointed King Munhumutapa by a spirit medium, giving him authority to install and remove chiefs across Zimbabwe.
In February 2024, Chiminya visited Chief Seke’s homestead, where he met Stanley Chimanike, the legally appointed Chief Seke.
Chiminya informed Chief Seke that he had been dethroned and appointed Masimba Rubatika to replace him.
He was reported to the Local Government and Public Works ministry, which oversees the administration of the Traditional Leaders Act.
The prosecution managed to prove that between June 11 and October 31, Chiminya appointed three other chiefs in the Chirumhanzu and Zaka areas.
The court heard that the appointments were in violation of the Constitution and the Traditional Leaders Act, which grants the President sole authority to appoint chiefs.
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