Minister Garwe barred from pursuing Muroyi chieftainship dispute until he pays costs, withdraws letter
A Zimbabwean High Court judge has barred Minister of Local Government Daniel Garwe from pursuing a chieftainship dispute until he pays outstanding legal costs and retracts an administrative letter. The court ruled the minister acted in contempt by ignoring previous interdicts.
Why it matters
The ruling underscores the judiciary's role in holding government officials accountable for legal compliance and financial obligations.
The High Court has barred the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, from pursuing a legal challenge over the Muroyi chieftainship until he pays more than US$4,700 in outstanding legal costs and withdraws a letter directing that the selection of a substantive chief should continue.
Justice Christopher Dube-Banda, sitting in Masvingo, ruled that the minister had approached the court with “dirty hands” after failing to settle costs awarded in two previous cases and writing a letter on April 1, 2026, urging the continuation of the selection process despite an existing court order prohibiting it.
The court ordered that the minister’s application for condonation and an extension of time to file an application for rescission of a default judgment be stayed until he pays the outstanding costs and withdraws the letter.
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