Cop who declared himself police boss acquitted

A Zimbabwe Republic Police officer who shocked the country last year after declaring himself the new Commissioner-General of Police and issuing unlawful directives on social media has been found not guilty due to mental illness.

Simbarashe Mandizvidza (35), who was stationed at the Salaries Services Bureau Liaison Office at Police General Headquarters, had been facing three charges, including allegedly causing disaffection among members of the police or defence forces, fraudulently procuring the use of a police vehicle and transmitting false data with intent to cause harm.

Delivering judgment, Harare provincial magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe ruled that two medical doctors who examined Mandizvidza concluded that he was suffering from a mental disorder and was not mentally fit at the time he committed the offences.

The court ordered that Mandizvidza be returned to the psychiatric unit at Chikurubi Maximum Prison for continued treatment and medication for both his own safety and that of the public.

According to the State, Mandizvidza recorded a video last year at his official residence at Hatfield Police Camp using a Canon 250D camera.

In the footage, which was later uploaded to a YouTube channel called "Gondo Harishaye," he falsely proclaimed himself the new Commissioner-General of Police, announced the suspension of all police traffic duties and ordered all Chinese nationals and businesspeople to leave Zimbabwe within 48 hours.

The video quickly went viral on social media platforms.

Prosecutors argued that the statements were intended to create disaffection within the police force, trigger fear among foreign nationals and damage Zimbabwe's economy and international image.

The court also heard that Mandizvidza later approached Chief Inspector Fidios Chiteure, the Officer-in-Charge of the Police General Headquarters Pay and Records section, falsely claiming he had been instructed by Commissioner Makomo to use a police Ford Ranger vehicle for errands.

Believing the claim, Chief Inspector Chiteure reportedly authorised the release of the vehicle.

Mandizvidza allegedly drove the police vehicle to Waerera Village under Chief Masembura's area in Bindura, where it was later recovered.

The State further alleged that he later uploaded a second video again falsely presenting himself as head of the police force despite Stephen Mutamba being the legitimate Commissioner-General of Police.

Prosecutors argued that the conduct violated laws governing information and communication systems and had the potential to undermine public confidence in State institutions.

However, the court ultimately ruled that Mandizvidza could not be held criminally responsible due to his mental condition at the time of the offences.