“Mambo Munhumutapa” Petitions Constitutional Court to Stop Appointment of Chiefs by Local Government Minister

Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube

Timothy Chiminya, who claims the title of King Munhumutapa, has submitted a petition to Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court requesting that the Minister of Local Government and Public Works cease the appointment of traditional Chiefs.

This move has sparked significant interest and debate regarding traditional leadership and governance in Zimbabwe.

In a letter acknowledged by the Chief Registrar of the Constitutional Court on September 30, 2024, Chiminya is also demanding over US$69,000 from the Minister. He articulated his requests clearly, stating:

“We are aware that judges are there to ensure laws are implemented through their judgments. I, Mambo Munhumutapa, write this letter to request the following:

1. That the Minister of Local Government and Public Works be stopped from appointing and enthroning Chiefs in Zimbabwe.
2. The writ from the High Court of Zimbabwe demanding payment of USD 69,600 from the Minister be processed as granted by Mrs. Justice Munangati Manongwa on September 30, 2022, in HC Case Number HC3981/22.
3. That your office assist in implementing the payment of outstanding wages to Mambo Munhumutapa as outlined in the Letter of Demand dated August 19, 2024.
4. The High Court Order of September 28, 2024, remains valid due to the bar issued by the High Court on September 26, 2024, which will remain effective until the defendant complies. We understand the decision made, but because of the bar, the PTC minutes must be stopped as they are null and void.
5. Mambo Munhumutapa is willing to assist His Excellency, President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, on matters related to the appointment and enthronement of Chiefs.
6. We notify the Parliament of Zimbabwe through Hon. Advocate Jacob Mudenda, all Senators, and Chiefs to cease exercising duties and powers related to traditional leadership in Zimbabwe.

This letter, effective immediately, must be treated as an interdict and a letter of execution. I hope your office will help implement these requests.”

Chiminya copied his letter to President Mnangagwa, the Speaker of Parliament, and Chief Justice Luke Malaba, among others, indicating the seriousness of his claims and the breadth of his appeal.

Currently, Chiminya is embroiled in a legal dispute with the Ministries of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, and Local Government, which are challenging his assertion of the Munhumutapa kingship. He recently communicated with Chiefs Council President Khumalo, asserting that all traditional leaders in Zimbabwe now fall under the Munhumutapa kingship, a claim that could significantly alter the landscape of traditional governance in the country.

The historical King Munhumutapa, also known as Mwenemutapa, was a powerful ruler of the Mutapa Empire—a medieval kingdom that thrived in what is now modern-day Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The Mutapa Empire reached its zenith in the 15th and 16th centuries but began to decline as the Rozvi Empire, ruled by the Changamire Dynasty, emerged in the region.

Chiminya’s petition raises important questions about the intersection of traditional authority and modern governance in Zimbabwe, as well as the legitimacy of claims to historical titles in contemporary society. As the case unfolds, it will be crucial to observe how it impacts the roles of traditional leaders and the legal framework surrounding their appointments.

Zim GBC News©2024