The High Court has granted bail to Timothy Chiminya, a traditional leader who refers to himself as King Munhumutapa, after he spent more than two months in prison, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) confirmed on Friday.
Chiminya had been convicted and sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment for allegedly undermining or insulting the authority of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Chiminya was convicted by Harare Magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on 10 November 2025 and sentenced on 13 November 2025.
He had been arrested in Harare on 16 December 2024 and charged under Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) for allegedly undermining the authority of the President.
During his trial, prosecutors alleged that Chiminya insulted the President’s authority by attempting to appoint traditional chiefs, a responsibility reserved for the President, and by purporting to dethrone certain chiefs in Zimbabwe.
Magistrate Kuhudzai sentenced him to 10 months in prison, with two months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, meaning he was to serve an effective eight months.
Chiminya, represented by Gift Mtisi of ZLHR, then filed an application for bail pending appeal against both his conviction and sentence. The application was opposed by the Prosecutor-General’s Office.
On 4 February 2026, High Court Judge Davison Foroma granted Chiminya bail. As part of the conditions, he must deposit US$200 with the Clerk of Court at Harare Magistrates’ Court, continue to reside at his registered address, report to a local police station once a month, and attend all hearings of his appeal in person until the matter is resolved.
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