Online Reporter
Bunjiwe Mkhwananzi, Online Reporter
A 43-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to an effective six months in prison after he was convicted of impersonating a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer and fraudulently serving court summons in protection order cases.
Nhamo Karuru was convicted by the Tredgold Magistrates’ Court after he was found guilty of impersonating a police officer and unlawfully possessing police regalia and equipment, including a police identity card, a police notebook bearing the name Sergeant Nyoni and a ZRP reflective jacket.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Karuru masqueraded as a serving police officer on two separate occasions while dressed in full ZRP uniform.
“He travelled to Montrose Farm 3 in Filabusi and Dlamini Township in Matsheumhlope, Bulawayo, where he identified himself as Sergeant Nyoni from ZRP Tredgold Court before serving protection order summons on the complainants,” said the NPAZ.
The complainants became suspicious of his identity and reported the incidents to the police, triggering investigations that led to his arrest.
Further investigations by detectives uncovered an assortment of police uniforms and equipment at Karuru’s girlfriend’s residence in Magwegwe West, Bulawayo.
The recovered items included police drab caps, a police riot jacket, handcuffs, sergeant rank slip-ons, combat boots, riot trousers, grey shirts and name tags bearing the name Sergeant Nyoni.
The NPAZ said the conviction sends a clear warning against impersonating law enforcement officers.
“The NPAZ sends a strong message that impersonating law enforcement officers is a serious criminal offence that undermines public confidence in the justice system,” the authority said.
Authorities have urged members of the public to report suspected cases of impersonation and to verify the identity of individuals claiming to be police officers whenever they have doubts.
