Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
A ROGUE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer, who falsely declared himself the new Police Commissioner-General and issued controversial directives via social media, has been remanded in custody.
Simbarashe Mandizvidza (35), stationed at the Police General Headquarters’ Salaries Services Bureau Liaison Office, appeared before Harare provincial head magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe yesterday.
He was remanded until Monday to allow him to secure legal representation for his bail application.
Mandizvidza faces three charges of allegedly causing disaffection among members of the police or defence forces, fraudulently procuring the use of a police motor vehicle and transmitting false data with the intent to cause harm.
Prosecutor Mr Anesu Chirenje told the court that on Wednesday, Mandizvidza recorded a video at his official residence in ZRP Hatfield Police Camp using a Canon 250D camera.
In the video, he falsely proclaimed himself as the new Commissioner-General, ordered the suspension of all traffic section duties and declared that all Chinese nationals and businesspeople leave the country within 48 hours.
The video was uploaded to a YouTube channel Gondo Harishaye, making it publicly accessible.
The State alleges his actions were aimed at causing disaffection within the police force, creating psychological distress among foreign nationals and inflicting economic harm on Zimbabwe.
On the same day, Mandizvidza allegedly approached Chief Inspector Fidios Chiteure, Officer-in-Charge of the Police General Headquarters Pay and Records section, claiming he had been instructed by a Commissioner Makomo to use a police Ford Ranger for errands.
Believing the claim, Chief Inspector Chiteure authorised the vehicle’s release.
Mandizvidza then drove the Ford Ranger to Waerera Village in Chief Masembura’s jurisdiction, Bindura, where it was later recovered.
The State says he had no right to obtain or use the vehicle under false pretences.
The court also heard that on Thursday, Mandizvidza uploaded a second video to his YouTube channel again falsely declaring himself the head of the ZRP, despite Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba being the legitimate leader of the police force.
The prosecution contends this further incited disaffection among officers.
It’s the State argument that Mandizvidza’s conduct breached laws governing the use of information and communication systems and damaged Zimbabwe’s reputation and economy.
