SELF-STYLED King Munhumutapa, born Timothy Chiminya, has written to the Local Government ministry and the Zimbabwe Chiefs Council claiming that all traditional leaders, including spirit mediums, now fall under him.
King Munhumutapa is currently locked in a legal dispute with the ministries of Justice and Local Government that is challenging his kingship.
Chiminya has argued that Zanu PF acknowledged him as King Munhumutapa by using him to perform rituals for the ruling party.
In July, he presided over the installation of Johnsias Mugomeri as paramount Chief Goredema in Gokwe.
In the latest development, Chiminya wrote to Chiefs Council president Khumalo informing him that all the traditional leaders now fall under his kingship.
“I am writing to inform you about the recent High Court order ruling stating that all the chiefs will now come under King Munhumutapa after the High Court judgment, where Timothy Chiminya (King Muhumutapa) won the case in September 2022,” he wrote in his letter dated August 15, 2024.
“All chiefs must be accredited by King Munhumutapa and the King will have the final say towards the chiefs, headmen and sabhukus (village heads). All traditions, rituals and spirit mediums must fall under King Munhumutapa.”
He copied his letter to Zanu PF, the Office of the President and Cabinet and other ministries.
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“In the interest of unity, peace and co-operation among all the chiefs in Zimbabwe, we are asking that your office may also co-operate and respect the High Court judgment,” he wrote.
“It is important that we work together towards a common goal and put all our differences aside for the greater good of our people.
“I urge you to embrace this new arrangement and work with King Munhumutapa towards building a strong and prosperous future for all our people.”
The president of Chief’s Council laughed off Chiminya’s directive when contacted for comment yesterday.
“The Constitution of Zimbabwe does not have a king’s provision since it has not been amended on such,” Khumalo told NewsDay Weekender.
“We do not need to talk to him. It’s just a person enjoying media attention.
“I do not see the Constitution amended to that effect to suit his interest in my lifetime. He proclaimed himself as king and it boggles the mind for him to expect us to go to him and say he must rule us.”
On August 19, Chinminya wrote to the Local Government ministry demanding payment for his outstanding wages and allowances.
In his letter, Chiminya said the High Court made the order with regards to his case on September 28, 2022, but to date, nothing had been paid to him.
“I am writing to demand that the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works take immediate action to pay me, Timothy Chiminya, my outstanding wages and allowances as per order case number HC3981/22,” Chiminya wrote.
“The order was granted in Harare on September 28, 2022. Until now, nothing has been paid yet.
“Failure to comply within 14 days from the date you receive this letter will result in us taking further legal action.”
Chiminya had sued the ministry over his outstanding wages and allowances.
In her judgment, Justice Priscilla Manongwa-Munangati ordered the ministry to pay Chiminya his outstanding wages and allowances as King Munhumutapa.
Chiminya has also opposed a High Court application by the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs ministry challenging his position.
The Justice ministry has said Chiminya’s claim to be King Munhumutapa was unconstitutional and a nullity.
The Local Government and Public Works ministry also issued a statement denouncing Chiminya as an impostor.
Chiminya has since sued the Local Government for US$100 000 for defamation by calling him an impostor.
The court battle has, however, not stopped him from installing chiefs across the country.
The Justice ministry recently issued a statement saying the Constitution does not have a provision for kings.
King Munhumutapa, also known as Mwenemutapa, was the ruler of the ancient Kingdom of Mutapa (sometimes referred to as the Mutapa Empire), which existed in what is now modern-day Zimbabwe and extended to parts of Mozambique.
