Tafadzwa Muguti removed from post after dispute over filming in chiefs’ courts

Tafadzwa Muguti’s brief tenure as Zimbabwe’s permanent secretary for Local Government and Public Works ended less than two months after he took up the role. The announcement of his replacement did not explain why he had been removed, but presidential spokesperson George Charamba publicly criticised Muguti’s position on media coverage of traditional courts. Charamba said Muguti had been “out of order” for seeking to restrict filming and reporting from proceedings before chiefs. He argued that traditional courts form part of the judiciary, and that an executive official cannot set rules for them. In Charamba’s view, decisions about whether a hearing should be public or held in camera belong to the judicial officer presiding over that case. The dispute followed Muguti’s remarks at a meeting with provincial assemblies of chiefs, local-government directors and district development coordinators. He objected to people recording cases and sharing them on social media, saying that doing so could expose private disputes and undermine the dignity and confidentiality of traditional justice. Muguti also said people appearing before chiefs should not have to fear that personal matters would be posted online, and indicated that the ministry was working on amendments to the Traditional Leaders Act. Charamba said the media could cover court proceedings unless the judicial officer in charge imposed a restriction. He added that concerns about a particular case should be addressed by the court hearing it or raised with a higher court, rather than through a general directive from an executive official. The change of office was announced on 11 November. Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had appointed Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa as Muguti’s successor with immediate effect. Pazvakavambwa had previously served as permanent secretary for provincial affairs and devolution in Masvingo. The formal notice cited the relevant constitutional provision but did not give a reason for Muguti’s departure.