HARARE – Assistant Inspector Simbarashe Mandizvidza, the rogue police officer who declared himself the new Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) chief has been remanded in custody after appearing a Harare magistrate.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Mandizvidza faces three criminal charges stemming from his conduct last week.
On the first count, he is accused of causing disaffection among police officers.
Prosecutors say on August 14 he recorded and broadcast a video on his YouTube channel Gondo Harishaye in which he falsely pronounced himself as the ZRP commander, despite Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba being the incumbent.
On the second count, Mandizvidza is charged with procuring the use of a motor vehicle by fraud. On August 13, he allegedly misrepresented to Chief Inspector Chiteure that he had been instructed by Commissioner Makomo to use a Ford Ranger vehicle for official errands. Acting on the misrepresentation, Chiteure released the vehicle, which Mandizvidza later drove to Waerera village in Bindura, where it was recovered.
The third count accuses him of transmitting a false data message intending to cause harm, contrary to section 164C of the Criminal Code.
The NPA says he distributed video footage on August 13 in which he made false claims that the ZRP traffic section had been temporarily disbanded, and further declared that all Chinese nationals living and conducting business in Zimbabwe must leave within 48 hours.
The case has been postponed to August 18 for a bail hearing, which the state has indicated it will oppose.
The ZRP has described Mandizvidza’s utterances as “treasonous,” warning the public not to be misled by his claims.
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