Timothy Chiminya, who claims to be “King Munhumutapa” with supposed powers to appoint and dethrone chiefs in Zimbabwe, was denied bail by Harare Magistrate Isheunesu Matova on Wednesday.
As reported by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/fake-king-munhumutapa-denied-bail/">The Herald</a>, Matova ruled that Chiminya posed a potential threat to national peace and stability, remanding him in custody until January 22, 2024.
Medical reports presented in court confirmed that Chiminya is mentally fit to stand trial. Prosecutors had earlier requested a mental examination to determine his fitness before proceeding with the bail hearing.
Chiminya, arrested on 16 December 2024, faces charges of undermining the authority of the President. He allegedly claims that he was appointed “King Munhumutapa” by a spirit medium, granting him the authority to install and remove traditional chiefs. Prosecutors argue that his self-proclaimed powers have caused unrest in some communities.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works filed a complaint against Chiminya, leading to his arrest.
Prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi told the court that in February, Chiminya visited Chief Seke’s homestead in Dema and informed him that he had been “dethroned,” subsequently declaring Masimba Rubatika as the new Chief Seke.
Between June 11 and October 31, Chiminya is accused of appointing three more chiefs in Chirumhanzu and Zaka without legal authority.
The chiefs are Julius Chimbi as Chief Chigwegwe, Hama Piki as another chief in Chirumanzu, and Chief Nyakunhuwa in Zaka, Masvingo.
Chief Chimanike, the traditional Chief Seke, reported Chiminya’s actions to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in June.
The prosecution argued that Chiminya’s actions violated both the Zimbabwean Constitution and the Traditional Leaders Act, which exclusively grants the President the authority to appoint and remove chiefs.
The title Munhumutapa (or Mwenemutapa) was used by the rulers of the Kingdom of Mutapa, also known as the Mutapa Empire.
This kingdom, which existed from around 1430 to 1760, was located in what is now Zimbabwe and expanded into parts of Mozambique, Botswana, Malawi, and Zambia.
The title Munhumutapa means “he who conquers” or “owner of the conquered land,” reflecting the kingdom’s expansionist nature.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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A man named Timothy Chiminya who claims to be a king in Zimbabwe was denied bail because he threatened national peace. He says he can appoint and remove chiefs, but prosecutors say he caused trouble. He claims he was made king by a spirit, but the government says only the President can appoint chiefs. He faces charges and will stay in custody until 2024. Chiminya visited chiefs and claimed he had the power to remove them and appoint new chiefs without permission. This caused problems and the government got involved.

"King Munhumutapa" Denied Bail

Rest Chiduku, the son of self-appointed King Munhumutapa, born Timothy Chiminya, was arrested in Bulawayo on Thursday for allegedly posing as a government official and commissioner. He had been visiting shops and bars to check their licenses.
According to <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200036229/king-munhumutapas-son-arrested">Southern Eye</a>, Chiduku’s appointment had resulted in the dismissal of Mandla Nkomo, the Bulawayo commissioner, and his spokesperson, Chief Bekezela Bhekimpi Nyathi, who was let go after challenging Chiduku’s authority.
Chiduku’s arrest came after police received a tip-off about a “suspicious character” claiming to work for the government.
Images of Chiduku in handcuffs were subsequently shared on the ZANU PF Youth League’s Facebook page. Reads the post:
<blockquote>
Beware of criminals moving around claiming to be government officials. Here is the one who claims to be a commissioner, he goes around checking licences in shops and bars.
</blockquote>
Nkomo, a former commissioner for Chief Munhumutapa, said they worked hard to build support for the monarch. Said Nkomo:
<blockquote>
To our surprise, King Munhumutapa imposed his son Chiduku to run the Matabeleland region, including us.
That was totally wrong because we worked very hard building this dynasty in the Matabeleland region with Nyathi, a spiritually filled person and a humble leader who is filled with respect.
When Chiminya saw that the (WhatsApp) chat group I opened had a higher number (of members) than other provinces sitting at 650, he thought he had the power to impose his son.
We tried to advise him to stop it because that was wrong and tribalistic. He was very angry with me and Nyathi to the point of firing us.
Nyathi advised King Munhumutapa not to fire me, but the king opted to send an audio endorsing Chiduku cementing that he is his biological son and people of Bulawayo and Matabeleland must listen to him nothing else.
We left Chiminya and his son Chiduku, who had been just arrested because of going around conning people and collecting moneys from shop owners and business people in Zimbabwe in the name of his father, King Munhumutapa.
</blockquote>
Chiminya on Friday confirmed the arrest of Chiduku but said his arrest had nothing to do with him as a king. He said:
<blockquote>
What caused his arrest has nothing to do with Munhumutapa. It’s his own issue and the law has to be applied to him. If he is guilty, he should be proven guilty by the courts.
</blockquote>
Chiminya also said that Nyathi was his spokesperson and Nkomo was the only commissioner he appointed.
He said Nkomo had appointed Chiduku as his secretary, and he simply implemented Nkomo’s decisions.
Chiminya claimed that both Nkomo and Nyathi resigned for their own reasons, which he respected, leading to Chiduku remaining in his position in Bulawayo.
The self-proclaimed Munhumutapa criticized Chiduku for allegedly acting as a government official and taking money from shops and said if Chiduku violated the law, legal consequences should follow.
Chiminya revealed that Chiduku was in the department of Forever Associate Zimbabwe (FAZ), a Central Intelligence Organisation-linked shadow group that campaigned for President Emmerson Mnangagwa ahead of the 2023 elections. 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Rest Chiduku, the son of a self-appointed king, was arrested for pretending to be a government official and checking shop licenses. His appointment caused other officials to be fired. Chiduku was caught by the police after a tip-off. The king's former commissioner said they worked hard for the kingdom but Chiduku was imposed on them. The king said his son's arrest was not related to him. The king criticized his son for acting like a government official and taking money from shops illegally. Chiduku was part of a group supporting the president during the elections.

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