Police Officer Who Declared Himself ZRP Boss Found Not Guilty Due to Mental Illness

Simbarashe Mandizvidza, a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police who last year declared himself the country’s new Police Commissioner-General on social media, has been acquitted after the court ruled that he was mentally unfit at the time of the offences.

The 35-year-old officer had been facing charges of allegedly inciting disaffection within the police and defence forces, unlawfully obtaining the use of a police vehicle, and circulating false information intended to cause harm.

Mandizvidza was attached to the Salaries Services Bureau Liaison Office at Police General Headquarters.

Delivering judgment, Harare provincial magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe said medical assessments carried out by two doctors concluded that the accused was suffering from a mental disorder when the incidents occurred.

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

According to the prosecution, Mandizvidza allegedly recorded a video at Hatfield Police Camp using a Canon 250D camera in which he falsely announced that he had become the new Commissioner-General of Police. In the clip, he reportedly ordered the suspension of traffic police operations and instructed Chinese nationals and business operators to leave Zimbabwe within 48 hours.

The video was later uploaded to a YouTube channel called “Gondo Harishaye,” where it quickly spread online. Prosecutors argued that the statements were capable of causing unrest within the police force, fear among foreign nationals, and damage to the country’s economy.

The court also heard that on the same day, Mandizvidza allegedly approached Chief Inspector Fidios Chiteure at Police General Headquarters and falsely claimed he had authority from Commissioner Makomo to use a police Ford Ranger vehicle.

Believing the explanation, the officer released the vehicle to him. Mandizvidza allegedly drove the vehicle to Waerera Village in Bindura, under Chief Masembura’s area, where it was later recovered.

Prosecutors further alleged that he later released another online video again falsely presenting himself as head of the police service despite Stephen Mutamba being the officially recognised Commissioner-General.

The State argued that the videos violated laws governing the use of communication systems and negatively affected Zimbabwe’s image and economic interests.