In a landmark ruling, High Court Judge Justice Nyaradzo Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa has ordered the director-general of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) to pay a former employee US$132,152 or face imprisonment for contempt of court. The judge’s verdict was scathing, accusing the CIO head of “wilful defiance” of a binding court order.

The dispute began when former CIO employee Tryness Kabiti challenged a unilateral reduction in her salary. She won a declaratory order from Justice Gladys Mhuri in November 2023, compelling the intelligence agency to pay her outstanding wages. However, the CIO failed to comply, prompting Kabiti to file a second application for contempt of court.

Despite repeated assurances, the CIO failed to pay Kabiti. When she instructed the Sheriff of Zimbabwe to execute a writ, the CIO blocked the move, claiming its property couldn’t be attached under the law. Justice Munangati-Manongwa dismissed this defense, stating that the CIO’s actions were a clear abuse of court processes.

The judge also rejected claims that the CIO’s property was immune from execution, stating that payment could still be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The director-general must comply with the court order within 30 days or face arrest and imprisonment until the debt is settled.

This ruling has reignited debate over accountability within state institutions and the limits of executive privilege. Justice Munangati-Manongwa warned that ignoring the court’s order would result in a miscarriage of justice and damage the integrity of the judiciary. The CIO director-general has been ordered to cover all legal costs incurred by Kabiti. Will this ruling bring about a change in the CIO’s behavior, or will it continue to defy the law? Only time will tell.