'Police Chief' committed to Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit

A police officer who made headlines in August after declaring himself Zimbabwe's new police chief has been declared mentally unfit to stand trial and committed indefinitely to Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit.

Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai made the ruling following the submission of medical reports from two State doctors and one private practitioner, all concluding that Constable Simbarashe Mandizvidza was not of sound mental health.

Mandizvidza, who was stationed at ZRP Hatfield Police Camp, faced multiple charges including transmitting false information with intent to cause harm, violating the Road Traffic Act, and causing disaffection among members of the police or defence forces.

The charges arose from a series of bizarre recordings he made from his police residence, in which he declared himself the new Commissioner-General of Police. In one of the clips, Mandizvidza issued a 48-hour ultimatum for all Chinese nationals living and conducting business in Zimbabwe to leave the country.

He was also accused of unlawfully taking a police vehicle after allegedly deceiving his superior, Officer-in-Charge of Police General Headquarters Pay and Records, Fidios Chiteure, into believing that he had been assigned by Commissioner Makomo to use a police Ford Ranger for official duties.

The vehicle was later recovered in Waerera Village, Bindura, after Mandizvidza reportedly drove it there without authorisation.

Following the psychiatric assessments, Magistrate Kuhudzai ordered that Mandizvidza be detained at Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit for an indefinite period. His prosecution has been formally abandoned and will only resume if doctors later confirm that he has regained mental stability.

The case drew widespread public attention and debate over mental health awareness within the country's law enforcement institutions.