By Staff Reporter

Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri is facing a possible six-month jail term for allegedly failing to comply with a High Court order requiring her to pay US$25 000 to a victim of the August 2018 army shootings in Harare.

Zakeyo Mutimutema, a former Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) employee, has approached the High Court seeking an order declaring Muchinguri in contempt of court over her alleged failure to honour the compensation order.

In July 2025, Muchinguri agreed to pay Mutimutema US$25 000 for injuries he sustained when soldiers opened fire during protests following the disputed 2018 harmonised elections.

Mutimutema was in his office at Gorlon House in Harare on 1 August 2018 when soldiers fired at the building while dispersing protesters who were demonstrating over delays in the announcement of the presidential election results.

A bullet shattered the office windows, sending glass fragments into Mutimutema’s eyes. He suffered partial loss of eyesight and subsequently underwent three unsuccessful operations to remove the glass particles.

Represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights lawyer Obey Shava, Mutimutema is asking the court to commit Muchinguri to six months in prison, with the sentence wholly suspended on condition that she complies with the order by paying the outstanding US$25 000 within seven days.

In his application, Mutimutema argues that Muchinguri has wilfully ignored the court order despite several demands for payment.

He contends that her alleged failure to comply constitutes contempt of court and undermines the authority of the judiciary.

Mutimutema had sued Muchinguri, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe and former Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba for damages arising from the injuries he suffered during the 2018 violence.

The August 2018 shootings followed protests linked to delays in announcing the presidential election results. At least six people were killed after soldiers opened fire on demonstrators.

Following the violence, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed a Commission of Inquiry chaired by former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe to investigate the events.

The commission recommended that victims of the shootings be compensated and that those responsible be prosecuted.

However, Mutimutema says the recommendations have not resulted in compensation for known victims or their families, while no perpetrators have been prosecuted.

The contempt proceedings against Muchinguri could place renewed attention on the government's handling of victims of the August 2018 shootings and the enforcement of court orders against senior public officials.