Woman recounts husband's alleged abduction by men posing as police

A Chitungwiza woman has told the Harare Magistrates' Court how she watched her husband being forcibly taken away by men she believed were genuine police officers, saying the suspects' apparent impersonation of law enforcement delayed the reporting of the incident.

Catherine Satande was testifying in the trial of Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai (38), who is facing kidnapping and assault charges arising from the alleged abduction of her husband, David Matanda (35).

According to the prosecution, Rondozai allegedly masterminded Matanda's abduction in May 2025 to prevent him from exposing alleged fraudulent activities at a local security company where he had worked under the accused for five years.

Giving evidence, Satande told the court that she and her brother-in-law, Rufaro, witnessed the incident at their Chitungwiza home.

She said one of the men, whom she described as having a beard, assaulted Matanda before forcing him into a silver Honda Fit and driving away.

Satande said she did not immediately report the incident because she genuinely believed the men were police officers carrying out a lawful arrest.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Oliver Marwa, she maintained that the suspects' alleged impersonation of law enforcement officers was the sole reason she delayed approaching the police.

The court heard that after the alleged abduction, Matanda fled to South Africa, fearing for his safety.

While in self-imposed exile, he remained in contact with his wife through an aunt's mobile phone, while relatives assisted Satande in caring for their children.

Matanda later returned to Zimbabwe on December 16, 2025, before formally reporting the matter to the police on February 19, 2026.

Rondozai is charged with one count of kidnapping under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Four other suspects allegedly linked to the incident remain at large.

The accused is also facing a separate fraud case in which he is alleged to have defrauded Wellcash Debt Collectors of nearly US$11,000 in 2024.

Prosecutors allege that Rondozai failed to remit money recovered from debtors and transferred part of the allegedly misappropriated funds to his mother, who was reportedly unaware of the source of the money.

Harare Magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai postponed the kidnapping trial to August 19 for continuation, while the separate fraud matter is scheduled to be heard before Harare Provincial Magistrate Ruth Moyo on August 14.