Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Zimpapers Correspondent
THE National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe has declared war on criminal suspects who “play sick” or feign mental illness to avoid the dock.
Speaking at the recent official launch of the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, Prosecutor-General Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo warned that the days of using hospitals as a shield from the law were numbered.
The PG’s directive targets the widespread phenomenon of malingering, where accused persons — often involved in high-stakes corruption or murder cases — suddenly develop mysterious physical or mental lapses as their trial dates approach.
“Our message to those who do not value the sanctity of human life is clear, our reach is evolving, our tools are sharpening and our resolve to secure justice for the victims of violent crime is absolute,” she said.
“We will ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous acts find no loopholes in our laws and no leniency in our courts.
“A different approach is now being taken in instances where accused persons attempt to evade justice by feigning illness or mental incapacity.”
She revealed that nearly 17.5 percent of offenders currently attempt to fake mental incompetence to stall trials.
“Malingering, defined as the intentional production of false or exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms motivated by external incentives, has historically been used as a tactic to delay trials or secure favourable sentencing environments. Research indicates that within legal contexts, as many as 17, 5 percent of offenders feign mental incompetence to stand trial.”
Justice Matanda-Moyo cited the high-profile case of State v. Peter Dube as a primary example of this evolving strategy.
Dube, a former Gweru businessman, was recently convicted of two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder following a 2021 shooting spree.
During his trial at the Bulawayo High Court, Dube attempted an elaborate performance to appear mentally unsound.
A State psychiatrist, Dr Nemache Maware, testified that Dube tried to feign mental illness during examination.
He kept quiet and stared into space, continuously rocked in the chair and appeared unaware of his surroundings.
According to the State, Dube went to great lengths to appear as though he were hearing voices and seeing visions.
He also refused to discuss the offense and provided only inappropriate answers.
However, justice is moving away from a reliance on traditional eye-witness testimony, which can be fallible, toward a “forensics-first” model.
“We are moving beyond traditional testimony to embrace a more sophisticated, forensics-driven approach. This includes the integration of DNA profiling, ballistics expertise, and digital footprint analysis to build cases that are airtight and indisputable.”
Currently, some murder cases remain unresolved as the defendants have been committed to psychiatric units.
