Bogus ZRP cop in court for kidnapping victim

A man accused of masquerading as a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police has appeared in court over allegations of kidnapping and assaulting a former colleague in a chilling bid to extract sensitive information about a private security company's operations.

Simbarashe Rondozai appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo, who remanded him in custody pending further proceedings.

The court heard that in May 2025, Rondozai and accomplices still at large allegedly went to the complainant's residence in Chitungwiza, identifying themselves as police officers. The complainant's brother reportedly became suspicious after overhearing the exchange and approached the group to inquire about their mission.

The accused allegedly claimed they intended to arrest the complainant for an unspecified offence. Without his consent, they are said to have forcibly bundled him into a silver Honda Fit with no registration details provided in court.

While inside the vehicle, the complainant allegedly recognised Rondozai as his former manager at Real Star Security. Prosecutors told the court that the accused and his accomplices assaulted the complainant with fists and unknown blunt objects, handcuffed and blindfolded him before driving him to an undisclosed location.

During the ordeal, the accused allegedly demanded to know how Real Star Security provided protection to its top management and how it secured government contracts. They also reportedly pressed the complainant for information regarding alleged links between the company's chief executive officer, Mr Cashington Mavhunduke, and leadership within ZANU-PF.

In a further disturbing claim contained in court papers, Rondozai allegedly drove the complainant to an isolated area and told him it was where pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara was killed, warning that he would suffer a similar fate if he reported the matter or resisted their demands.

The complainant was later allegedly dumped near Manyame River Bridge along the new Chitungwiza Road. Fearing for his life, he reportedly fled to South Africa in June 2025, where he remained in hiding until December.

The matter was formally reported to police on January 17, 2026, leading to Rondozai's arrest.

Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are still pursuing the accused's alleged accomplices.