Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
A rogue officer accused of falsely declaring himself as the new Police Commissioner-General and issuing illegal directives via social media will remain in custody for two more days after his bail hearing was postponed by the Magistrates Court.
Simbarashe Mandizvidza (35), who was expected to appear before Harare provincial magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe today for his bail application, will now have his hearing on Wednesday.
The postponement was requested by Mandizvidza’s legal counsel, Mr Kumbirai Chivhuna, to allow time to gather further instructions from his client.
Mandizvidza faces three charges of causing disaffection among members of the police or defence forces, fraudulently procuring the use of a police motor vehicle and transmitting false data with intent to cause harm.
Prosecutor Mr Anesu Chirenje said on August 13, Mandizvidza recorded a video at his official residence in ZRP Hatfield Police Camp using a Canon 250D Camera.
In the video, he proclaimed himself as the new Commissioner-General of the ZRP, ordered the suspension of all traffic section duties, and declared that all Chinese must leave Zimbabwe within 48 hours.
The video was uploaded to a YouTube channel called Gondo Harishaye, making it accessible to the public.
The State alleges that these actions were intended to cause disaffection within the police force, induce psychological distress among foreign nationals and inflict 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 maintains that he had no lawful right to obtain or use the vehicle under false pretences.
Additionally, on Thursday last week, Mandizvidza uploaded a second video to his YouTube channel, once again falsely declaring himself the head of the ZRP, despite Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba being the legitimate leader of the police force.
