Timothy Chiminya, who claims the title of King Munhumutapa, has been arrested and detained by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on charges of undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The arrest took place on December 16, with Chiminya accused of overstepping his bounds by appointing and dethroning traditional chiefs, a role that, according to the state, is exclusively within the purview of the President of Zimbabwe, who is also the leader of the ruling ZANU PF party.
Chiminya, who has styled himself as the modern-day reincarnation of the historical Munhumutapa kings, appeared before Harare Magistrate Sheunesu Matowa on December 18. He has been remanded in custody until January 7, 2025, to facilitate a mental health evaluation by two medical doctors, as requested by the prosecutors.
