Self-proclaimed King Munhumutapa, born Timothy Chiminya has warned government officials, particularly from the Midlands against harassing traditional chiefs that he recently installed.
In March, Chiminya presided over the installation of Julius Chimbi Chigegwe and Servious Piki as Chiefs Chirumanzu and Hama respectively.
“I note with great concern that there are some senior government officials from the province, who are harassing the chiefs we installed,” Chiminya told Sunday Southern Eye.
“This is what we have always said that substantive chiefs have not been coronated in many parts of the country to replace acting chiefs because of corrupt tendencies by some government officials and some members of the chiefs' council who get kickbacks to maintain such cultural anomalies.
“As King Munhumutapa l have the powers to install chiefs and anyone, who acts contrary to such is fighting against our traditional norms and values and so to those who are interfering be warned.”
Chiminya has been on a whirlwind tour across the country replacing acting chiefs.
He said his actions were guided by a 2022 High Court order, which declared him King Munhumutapa after the then Local Government minister had contested his kingship.
He also claimed that he was guided by “ancestors” who sent him as a “messiah” to free chieftainships from corruption.