High Court Asked To Jail Muchinguri As 2018 Shooting Victim Escalates Legal Fight
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri is facing a fresh legal challenge after a victim of the August 2018 post-election shootings asked the High Court to hold her in contempt of court over an unpaid compensation award. The application comes more than a year after a court order required payment of US$25 000 (about R445 000) to Zakeyo Mutimutema for injuries he suffered during the unrest.
August 2018 Shooting Victim Wants Muchinguri Jailed For Contempt
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Mutimutema has asked the High Court to declare Muchinguri in contempt for allegedly failing to comply with a July 2025 court order directing her to pay compensation.
The former Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) employee suffered serious eye injuries on 1 August 2018 after a bullet fired by soldiers shattered windows at Gorlon House in Harare, sending glass fragments into his eyes. He reportedly underwent three unsuccessful operations in an effort to remove the particles and partially lost his eyesight.
Introducing the court application, ZLHR said:
“Mutimutema wants the High Court to declare Hon. Muchinguri to be in contempt of court for the wilful failure to comply with its order granted in July 2025 and for her to be committed to serve a period of six months in prison, wholly suspended on condition that she complies with the High Court order within seven days.”
Court Order And Compensation Dispute
The matter stems from a settlement reached in July 2025, when Muchinguri agreed to pay US$25 000 (about R445 000) in compensation for Mutimutema’s injuries.
Mutimutema argues that repeated demands for payment have gone unanswered.
ZLHR said in the court papers:
“Hon. Muchinguri’s failure to comply with a High Court order is not justified as it constitutes a wilful disobedience of a lawful order and undermines the authority of the court.”
Motlanthe Commission Recommendations Remain Unresolved
Following the violence that erupted after the 2018 harmonised elections, a Commission of Inquiry chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe recommended that victims be compensated and perpetrators prosecuted.
The commission was established by President Emmerson Mnangagwa after at least six people were killed during the unrest.
As of 6 August 2026, no court ruling has yet been made on Mutimutema’s latest contempt application.
The case is expected to determine whether the High Court will enforce its earlier order through contempt proceedings.
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