Viral videos of chiefs' courts have become one of the most-watched genres of Zimbabwean social media, from land disputes to marital rows. Now the government wants to stop them.

Local Government and Public Works Permanent Secretary Tafadzwa Muguti has told traditional leaders to stop recording proceedings in their courts and posting them online. He warned that the practice erodes the dignity of traditional courts.

Muguti was speaking in Harare on Tuesday, 13 October, at a meeting attended by provincial councils of chiefs from across the country, according to iHarare.

'Let us respect the chief's court'

"We should not be allowing cellphones in the chief's court, where a case is being heard in confidentiality," Muguti said.

"These cases are ruled in confidentiality. The moment you start filming these issues, people no longer want to attend the traditional courts," he said, according to News Hour.

"Let us respect the chief's court; let's respect our heritage," he said, as reported by iHarare. News Hour quoted him asking: "Why are we now recording, trying to be celebrities?"

A ban, or a plan?

Early reports online described Muguti's remarks as an immediate ban. iHarare and News Hour reported, however, that Muguti said the government was facilitating amendments to the Traditional Leaders Act to address practices in these courts. That means any formal restriction would have to go through Parliament.

"Because of that, we now are actively facilitating the amendments for the Traditional Leaders Act," he said, according to News Hour.

Muguti also called for a national disciplinary structure for traditional leaders within the National Chiefs' Council. He argued that the current arrangements are inadequate, according to iHarare.

Critics push back

Lawyer and opposition politician Fadzayi Mahere and media freedom advocate Mlondolozi Ndlovu challenged the proposal, News Hour reported.

Ndlovu, who chairs the advocacy committee of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) in Harare, said the matter was governed by existing law, not by an official's statement.

"First of all these proceedings are governed by law, it is not Muguti's prerogative to ban these," he said. "What matters is the position of the law espoused under the Customary Law and Local Courts Act rather than a mere pronouncement."

He argued that filming traditional courts "promotes media coverage that brings communities together and celebrates our diverse ethnic cultures", and called on the Zimbabwe Media Commission to engage the ministry.

Critics also pointed out that customary courts are generally meant to sit in public. Any change to their procedures, including a phone ban, would only take effect once Parliament had passed it.

The wider debate

The argument touches a real tension. Supporters of a ban say people bring sensitive family and community disputes to chiefs, and that having them broadcast to millions can humiliate the people involved, including children, and put others off seeking help. Opponents say open hearings are a safeguard against unfair rulings, and that recordings have exposed abuses as well as entertained.

What happens next

No draft amendment to the Traditional Leaders Act has been published yet. Until Parliament passes a change, the current law stays in force. We will report on the bill when it is gazetted.

Sources: News Hour, 13 Oct 2026: https://newshour.co.zw/mahere-ndlovu-clap-back-at-mugutis-chiefs-court-filming-ban/ · iHarare, 14 Oct 2026: https://iharare.com/local-government-permanent-secretary-tafadzwa-muguti-orders-chiefs-to-stop-posting-court-cases-online/