Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
BULAWAYO man who apparently watched too many crime movies learned the hard way that pretending to be a police officer at an actual police station is a terrible career move.
Tafadwa Chidore (27) of New Magwegwe left officers at Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Mzilikazi station stunned after boldly marching to the main gate and allegedly acting like the sheriff in town using a stolen police ID.
The problem was that real cops were standing right there.
Probably inspired by movies like Blue Streak, Chidore’s Hollywood-style performance quickly crashed and burned, landing him before Bulawayo Magistrate Barbara Phiri who sentenced him to 24 months in prison for impersonating a police officer.
Twelve months were suspended for five years while the remaining 12 months were suspended on condition he performs 420 hours of community service.
According to prosecutor Arnold Mudekunye, on Workers Day, when Chidore confidently strutted to the gates of ZRP Mzilikazi like a man reporting for duty.
Witnesses said the fake detective allegedly stopped a man identified as Moyo Lot and attempted to search him while introducing himself as “Detective Assistant Inspector Ngwenya”.
To sell the role, Chidore even flashed a real police ID belonging to the actual officer.
But fate had other plans.
Patrolling officers Constable Benson, Constable Ndlovu and Sergeant Timbre reportedly noticed something was off about the overconfident “officer” swaggering around their station like he owned the place.
The trio approached him and carried out a quick search.
Boom!
The suspicious ID was discovered tucked away on him, instantly ending the one-man police drama.
Instead of arresting suspects, Chidore suddenly became the suspect himself.
Officers marched the embarrassed fake cop through the very same gates where he had moments earlier been flexing imaginary authority.
The court was stunned by Chidore’s sheer guts of trying to fool police officers while standing outside their own workplace.
Bongani Ndlovu