Zimbabwe High Court: Muchinguri Contempt of Court Over 2018 Shootings Pay

• Zakeyo Mutimutema, injured in the 2018 Harare army shootings, is seeking to have a high-ranking official jailed for contempt of court.
• Mutimutema sustained serious eye injuries from glass particles after soldiers fired at his office building on August 1, 2018.
• The High Court ordered Muchinguri in July 2025 to pay Mutimutema US$25,000 in compensation, following an agreement made in the same month.
• Mutimutema's lawyer has filed an application for Muchinguri's committal to prison for six months, suspended on condition of payment within seven days, citing her willful non-compliance.
• The case highlights broader concerns regarding the unfulfilled Motlanthe Commission recommendations for compensation and prosecution of perpetrators of the 2018 shootings.

Mutimutema's application further requests that the High Court commit Muchinguri to prison for a period of six months.

A significant legal development is unfolding in Zimbabwe concerning the 2018 army shootings, as former Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) employee Zakeyo Mutimutema seeks to have a high-ranking official jailed for contempt of court. Mutimutema, a labour law specialist, sustained severe injuries on August 1, 2018, when soldiers deployed to suppress protests in Harare against alleged electoral malpractices and delays in presidential election results fired at Gorlon House, where his offices were located. A bullet shattered window panes, causing glass particles to pierce his eyes, leading to serious injuries and partial loss of eyesight. He has since undergone three unsuccessful eye surgeries to remove the fine glass particles.

Mutimutema initiated a lawsuit against Muchinguri, along with Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe and Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba, seeking damages for current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and general damages. The High Court subsequently ordered Muchinguri to pay US$25,000 in compensation to Mutimutema. This order followed an agreement reached in July 2025, where Muchinguri committed to paying the compensation, with the High Court formally issuing its directive in the same month.

Despite the High Court's clear directive, Muchinguri has allegedly failed to comply with the July 2025 order. Consequently, Mutimutema, represented by lawyer Obey Shava of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), has filed an application for committal for contempt of court. The application seeks a declaration from the High Court that Muchinguri is in contempt for wilfully failing to adhere to the compensation order.

Mutimutema's application further requests that the High Court commit Muchinguri to prison for a period of six months. This proposed sentence would be wholly suspended, contingent upon her compliance with the US$25,000 payment within seven days of the court's ruling. Mutimutema argues that Muchinguri's conduct demonstrates a wilful disobedience of the court's authority, as she has reportedly ignored multiple demands for payment without providing any justification, thereby undermining the integrity of the judicial system.

The Zakeyo Mutimutema lawsuit and the subsequent Muchinguri contempt of court application unfold against a backdrop of persistent calls for justice for all victims of the 2018 shootings. Following the violence, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed a Commission of Inquiry, chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, to investigate the events. The Motlanthe Commission recommendations included providing compensation for all victims and ensuring the prosecution of those responsible for the violence.

However, according to the ZLHR, which has been actively involved in advocating for the victims, there has been a notable lack of progress on these fronts. The organization states that no known victims or their families have received compensation, and no perpetrators of the 2018 army shooting compensation have been prosecuted to date. This ongoing legal challenge highlights the significant hurdles faced in enforcing High Court contempt orders in Zimbabwe, particularly when they involve high-ranking state actors and human rights violations stemming from state actions.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in enforcing High Court orders for compensation against high-ranking government officials in Zimbabwe, particularly concerning human rights violations. Lawyers advising clients on state liability or human rights litigation should monitor this development for insights into the practical enforceability of judgments and the judiciary's willingness to compel compliance from state actors.

Source: Original reporting via Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights