HARARE – A police officer who grabbed national attention in August after declaring himself as the new police chief has been indefinitely committed to Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit after being declared mentally unfit to stand trial.
Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai made the ruling after receiving medical reports from two state doctors and one private doctor, all confirming that Constable Simbarashe Mandizvidza was not of sound mental health.
Mandizvidza had been charged with transmitting false information with intent to cause harm, breaches of the Road Traffic Act, and causing disaffection among police or defence forces.
The charges stemmed from a series of viral recordings Mandizvidza made while at his official residence at ZRP Hatfield Police Camp.
He made declarations giving all Chinese nationals living and doing business in Zimbabwe a 48-hour ultimatum to leave.
He had also been accused of stealing a police vehicle after misrepresenting to his superior, Fidios Chiteure – the officer in charge of Police General Headquarters Pay and Records – that he had been sent by Commissioner Makomo to use a police Ford Ranger for official errands.
He drove the vehicle to Waerera Village in Bindura, where it was recovered.
Mandizvidza will be committed to Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit for an indefinite period and his prosecution has been formally abandoned until doctors confirm his recovery.
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