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King Munhumutapa denied bail
the accused is a security threat and could not be tried from home because he had dethroned some traditional leaders, who were installed by President Mnangagwa
Self-proclaimed Mambo Munhumutapa, real name Timothy Chiminya, will remain in jail after a Harare Magistrate dismissed his freedom bid following his arrest late last year for allegedly undermining authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Magistrate Sheunesu Matova on Wednesday 8 January 2025 denied bail to Chiminya, who is represented by Gift Mtisi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, saying the accused is a security threat and could not be tried from home because he had dethroned some traditional leaders, who were installed by President Mnangagwa and that some subjects of the Chiefs, who were removed, are bound to “fight” the Chiefs, whom he had installed.
Chiminya had applied for bail on 7 January.
The ruling by Magistrate Matova came after he had on Tuesday 7 January 2025 pronounced that Chiminya is fit to stand trial after he was assessed by two doctors while he was in prison following a request by prosecutors, who applied to have him undergo a mental health evaluation.
Chiminya was arrested by the police on 16 December 2024 and accused of acting unlawfully and causing ridicule to President Mnangagwa by purporting to appoint Chiefs and thereby performing a task, which is the preserve of the ruling ZANU PF political party leader.
He was also accused of dethroning Chiefs in some parts of Zimbabwe, who were legitimately appointed by President Mnangagwa.
