Man sentenced for impersonating police officer

A man identified as Mashayamombe has been sentenced to 12 months in prison by the Kadoma Magistrates' Court for impersonating a police officer in a failed bribery attempt. Magistrate Charity Sithole handed down the sentence, suspending four months of the term for five years on condition of good behavior. The remaining eight months were converted to 280 hours of community service.

The incident occurred on October 27, 2024, when Mashayamombe stopped a Honda Fit taxi and demanded a US$10 bribe from the driver, posing as a police officer. The driver refused to pay and later reported the encounter to the police, leading to Mashayamombe's arrest.

During police questioning, Mashayamombe attempted to shift his story, claiming he was a member of the Zimbabwe National Army. However, he was unable to produce any form of identification to support his claim, raising further suspicions.

Mashayamombe's actions drew the ire of the magistrate, who warned against impersonating law enforcement officers and emphasized the seriousness of undermining public trust. The case highlights efforts by authorities to curb impersonation crimes, which have become increasingly common.

As a result of his sentence, Mashayamombe will fulfill his community service requirement in Kadoma, marking a stark reminder of the legal consequences for those who engage in impersonation and extortion.