Self-proclaimed King Munhumutapa, born Timothy Chiminya, was at it last week, unveiling his “constitution”, which proposed the establishment of the office of the prime minister reporting directly to him alongside ministers.
Chiminya has alleged that he was appointed as King Munhumutapa by a spirit medium, giving him authority to install and remove chiefs across the country.
He also claims he was reinstated as the paramount king by the High Court on September 30, 2022 under case number 398/22.
Since then, he has been going around claiming to be King Munhumutapa and in March last year he installed Julius Chimbi Chigegwe as Chief Chirumanzu.
Chiminya was reported to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, which oversees the administration of the Traditional Leaders Act, resulting in his arrest.
In court, the prosecution argued that Chiminya’s actions ridiculed the Office of the President by attempting to usurp President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s executive powers.
However, this has not stopped Chiminya, who has been seen at Zanu PF functions, from unveiling his constitution.
“King is the overseer of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe and head of Kingdom to the Munhumutapa great empire,” his constitution, which he submitted to the Justice and Legal Parliamentary Affairs ministry and other government organs last week, reads in part.
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The same document was submitted to the chief registrar- Constitutional Court, Registrar General (Records and Information) as well as the Attorney General’s Office.
“In this Great Kingdom, there is a prime minister who presides under King Munhumutapa,” the document reads.
“He will be with one deputy prime minister...
“Whatever activity to be carried out in the kingdom (country), the prime minister must report to his majesty King before any action and all protocols observed.”
He proposed that ministries report directly to him.
“Prime minister must take/action orders from the king on a daily basis...,” he said.
“All corrupt activities must be dealt with accordingly without fear or favour from the prime minister to general citizens.”
He proposed 11 provinces headed by 11 commissioners reporting directly to him.
“Whenever chiefs are installed and dethroned by the king, commissioners have to make a verified research and make a tangible family outcome to his majesty, King Munhumutapa,” the document read.
Chiminya said he reserved the right to declare elections and ban political parties.
“It is only councillors and Members of Parliament who go for elections,” the document added.
“Prime minister, vice-prime minister and ministers are appointed by his majesty king...
“Parliament has no power over his majesty king.
“His majesty king is the last signature to every law passed in parliamentary debates.”
Chiminya has sued the Local Government and Public Works ministry for US$100 000 for calling him an imposter.
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 expanded into parts of Mozambique.
