Ishmael Maukazuva, the Councillor for Ward 12 in Chikomba West Constituency, has been released after spending two days in detention.
He was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers and charged with undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Maukazuva, who was represented by Paida Saurombe from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), was taken into custody on Wednesday. 
The arrest followed accusations that he had forwarded a TikTok video clip to the Chivhu Residents and Ratepayers Association WhatsApp group.
The video, which allegedly showed a woman criticising President Mnangagwa for mismanaging the economy, included derogatory comments about the president and the ruling ZANU PF party.
However, on Friday, March 14, 2025, prosecutors from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew the charges against Maukazuva.
The charges were withdrawn on the basis that they (prosecutors) had not first obtained a certificate to prosecute from the Prosecutor-General, authorising them to pursue legal action against the opposition political party Councillor.
It had been alleged that Maukazuva had unlawfully circulated the TikTok video, which featured disparaging remarks about President Mnangagwa.
The video included an anonymous woman accusing the president of causing “misfortunes” for Zimbabweans and urging him to step down in favour of a “younger” leader.

Pindula News

An opposition councillor named Ishmael Maukazuva was arrested for sharing a video criticizing President Mnangagwa. He spent two days in detention but was later released when prosecutors withdrew the charges. The charges were dropped because the prosecutors did not have the proper authorization to prosecute him. The video Maukazuva shared showed a woman criticizing the president for mismanaging the economy. The woman in the video also urged President Mnangagwa to step down for a younger leader. Maukazuva was represented by a lawyer from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Opposition Councillor Arrested For For Sharing Video Criticising Mnangagwa Freed After Prosecutors Withdraw Charges

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>

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

Ezekiel Chiradza, a 35-year-old security guard from Beitbridge, was arrested earlier this week and charged with insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He has since been granted bail.
Chiradza allegedly recorded a video in which he sings, “Mnangagwa has destroyed the country,” while expressing support for former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa. This video was shared in a WhatsApp group.
On Thursday, September 5, Chiradza was granted bail of US$100 by Beitbridge Magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba, according to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
The magistrate imposed conditions, including a prohibition against interfering with state witnesses and investigations, and required Chiradza to continue residing at his registered address until the conclusion of his case.
Chiradza was represented by Patrick Tererai from the ZLHR. He faces charges under section 33(2)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which pertains to undermining the authority of or insulting the President.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A security guard named Ezekiel Chiradza was arrested for singing a song against the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa. He was granted bail of US$100 but has restrictions to follow. Chiradza expressed support for another leader in a video that was shared in a WhatsApp group. His case is still ongoing and he is being represented by a lawyer. The charges against him are related to insulting the President.

Security Guard Granted US$100 Bail After Singing Against Mnangagwa

A security guard based in Beitbridge has been arrested and charged with insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
He allegedly criticised the President for mismanaging the economy and introducing the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Ezekiel Chiradza, 35, was taken into custody on September 2.
Chiradza reportedly recorded a video in which he condemned Mnangagwa and voiced support for former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, sharing it in a WhatsApp group. The ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
There is no respite in targeting citizens for perceived dissent and in Beitbridge, a 35-year-old security guard has been arrested and charged for allegedly insulting President Mnangagwa, whom he accused of economic mismanagement and also for disapproving use of ZiG currency.
Ezekiel Chiradza, who works as a security guard at Beitbridge Town Council, was arrested by ZRP officers on 2 September and was charged with undermining the authority of or insulting the President as defined in section 33(2)(a)(ii) of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act.
Chiradza reportedly recorded a video and published it on a WhatsApp group called Zim Politics, while singing and uttering some words condemning President Mnangagwa and praising Nelson Chamisa, his rival in last year’s general elections.
Chiradza is represented by Patrick Tererai of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A security guard named Ezekiel Chiradza criticized President Mnangagwa in a video for the way he is handling the economy and introducing a new currency. He shared this video in a WhatsApp group. As a result, he was arrested and charged with insulting the President. Chiradza's lawyer, Patrick Tererai, is working on his case. This shows that people in Zimbabwe can get in trouble for speaking out against the President.

Security Guard's Video Critique Of Mnangagwa Results In Arrest For "Insulting The President"

A 37-year-old man from Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province, Patrick Kingirasi, who was arrested on allegations of undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been granted ZWL$500 000 bail.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said that Kingirasi, an unemployed resident of Bindura, was arrested last month and spent 24 days in pre-trial detention in Bindura Prison.
On Tuesday, 12 December, Bindura Magistrate Ndokera set Kingirasi free after granting him ZWL$500 000 bail.
Kingirasi, who was represented by human rights lawyer Pride Dzapasi, returns to court on 15 December. ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
Prosecutors alleged that Kingirasi who is represented by [Pride P Dzapasi] undermined and insulted President Mnangagwa on 2 October, when he called Edson Chibaya, a fellow Bindura resident, on his mobile phone and made some utterances to the effect that the ruling ZANU PF political party members were thieves and blamed the ruling party’s leader for causing massive suffering among citizens and for authoring the country’s economic crisis.
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Kingirasi is alleged to have shouted at Chibaya in the Shona language that “Musandiitire zvechimbavha zve ZANU PF nava Mnangagwa venyu varikutipa kutambura,” which prosecuting authorities translated to mean “Do not be thievery in ZANU PF way with your Mnangagwa, who is causing us to suffer.”
Prosecutors said Kingirasi’s alleged utterances were unlawful, intentional, abusive, indecent and abusive.
The Bindura resident is the latest among dozens of Zimbabweans, who have been arrested, detained and prosecuted on charges of undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa.
During the reign of Robert Mugabe, the country’s late leader, more than 200 people were prosecuted and persecuted on the same nefarious charges of undermining the authority of or insulting the President, charges which continue to be preferred against citizens in the post-Mugabe era.
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</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bindura Man Arrested For "Insulting" Mnangagwa Granted ZWL$500 000 Bail

A 37-year-old man from Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province, Patrick Kingirasi, has been in pre-trial detention for almost three weeks following his arrest on allegations of undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said that Kingirasi, an unemployed resident of Bindura, was arrested in November and has been languishing in prison for 20 days. ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
In the political hotbed province of Mashonaland Central province, we are working on securing freedom for Patrick Kingirasi, a 37-year-old man, who was arrested last month and has been in prison for 20 days on charges of undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa.
Kingirasi, an unemployed resident of Bindura in Mashonaland Central province, has been languishing in remand prison after he was arrested by [the Zimbabwe Republic Police] on 18 November and charged with undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa.
Prosecutors alleged that Kingirasi who is represented by [Pride P Dzapasi] undermined and insulted President Mnangagwa on 2 October, when he called Edson Chibaya, a fellow Bindura resident, on his mobile phone and made some utterances to the effect that the ruling ZANU PF political party members were thieves and blamed the ruling party’s leader for causing massive suffering among citizens and for authoring the country’s economic crisis.
Kingirasi is alleged to have shouted at Chibaya in the Shona language that “Musandiitire zvechimbavha zve ZANU PF nava Mnangagwa venyu varikutipa kutambura,” which prosecuting authorities translated to mean “Do not be thievery in ZANU PF way with your Mnangagwa, who is causing us to suffer.”
Prosecutors said Kingirasi’s alleged utterances were unlawful, intentional, abusive, indecent and abusive.
The Bindura resident is the latest among dozens of Zimbabweans, who have been arrested, detained and prosecuted on charges of undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa.
During the reign of Robert Mugabe, the country’s late leader, more than 200 people were prosecuted and persecuted on the same nefarious charges of undermining the authority of or insulting the President, charges which continue to be preferred against citizens in the post-Mugabe era.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Unemployed Bindura Resident Arrested For "Insulting" President Mnangagwa

A Mutare man who was imprisoned for a month for allegedly insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa has finally been released on free bail.
28-year-old Elroy Anesu Muchaya allegedly stormed a police station, removed Mnangagwa’s portrait, and blamed him for causing suffering in his life.
He was arrested on 06 September 2023 and charged with undermining the authority of or insulting the President as defined in Section 33(2)(b) of the Criminal Code.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)’s Chris Ndlovu and Takunda Musara of Gonese Ndlovu Legal Practitioners secured Muchaya’s release.
A statement released by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights 0n 11 October 2023 reads:
<blockquote>
In Mutare, we have ended the month-long detention of Elroy Anesu Muchaya, a 28-year-old man, who had been languishing in prison after he was arrested &amp; charged for allegedly blaming President Mnangagwa for causing misery in his life.
Muchaya of Sakubva suburb in Mutare was arrested by [the Police] on 6 September and charged with undermining the authority of or insulting the President as defined in section 33(2)(b) of the Criminal Code.
According to prosecutors, Muchaya visited the ZRP Mutare Traffic Charge Office, which was manned by Ignatius Maziveyi, a ZRP officer, who was on duty, in the early hours of 6 September, where the 28-year-old man allegedly stepped on the counter &amp; removed President Mnangagwa’s portrait &amp; uttered the words “Munhu uyu arikukonzeresa kuti nditambure”, which was translated to mean “This person is the one who is causing my suffering” while holding the portrait close to himself.
Prosecutors said Muchaya’s alleged utterances were unlawful, abusive, indecent &amp; obscene &amp; he had no right to act in the manner he allegedly did.
Muchaya was released from prison on 5 October on free bail granted by Mutare Magistrate Prisca Manhibi, after his lawyers Chris Ndlovu of [the ZLHR] &amp; Takunda Musara of Gonese Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, challenged his continued detention in jail &amp; applied for his release.
Muchaya returns to court on 19 October.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Man (28) Accused Of Insulting Mnangagwa Released On Bail

A former National University of Science and Technology (NUST) student who was arrested for allegedly criticising President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2020 State of the Nation Address (SONA) has been acquitted.
Rujeko Hither Mpambwa (24), was arrested in August 2020 and has been been on trial since July 2022.
She was charged with undermining the authority of, or insulting, President Mnangagwa in contravention of section 33 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
She appeared before Kariba Magistrate, Tapiwa Banda, and was represented by Unite Saizi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
 Caren Musiiwa prosecuted.
Allegations were that Mpambwa posted a comment denigrating President Mnangagwa on a WhatsApp group titled Kariba Hard Talk, wherein she reportedly wrote:
<blockquote>
He is busy forwarding the Vision 2030 Agenda. He is sick. He should keep quiet about patriotism. He is making us angry.
</blockquote>
An aggrieved member of the Kariba Hard Talk WhatsApp group, Samu Mawawo, informed ZRP officers, who arrested Mpambwa.
Police seized her Huawei mobile phone and sent it to Criminal Investigations Department’s National Cyber Forensic Laboratory.
The CIDs extracted her message and compiled an examination report, which was presented in court as an exhibit.
The magistrate, however, cleared Mpambwa of wrongdoing, ruling that the context of her message was not clear.
<blockquote>
[The magistrate said the] messages were plucked out from other messages, which were not retrieved from her mobile phone, and as such the context in which they were allegedly sent was unclear.
</blockquote>
The magistrate also said Mnangagwa’s SONA did not appear fully on the exhibits produced in court and hence the court could not, therefore, work on speculation when all the alleged offensive words were not retrieved. Said ZLHR:
<blockquote>
What purportedly linked Mpambwa to the alleged offence was the name “Emasoni,” and the court could not speculate that the said word refers to the President.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/uni-student-accused-of-criticising-mnangagwa-acquitted-court-says-cant-speculate-that-emasoni-refers-to-president/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

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