Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
HARARE – A police officer who garnered national attention in August after declaring himself the new police chief has been indefinitely committed to a psychiatric unit after being declared mentally unfit to stand trial.
Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai made the ruling on Tuesday after receiving medical reports from two state doctors and one private practitioner, all confirming that Assistant Inspector Simbarashe Mandizvidza was not of sound mental health.
Mandizvidza had been facing multiple charges including transmitting false information with intent to cause harm, breaches of the Road Traffic Act, and causing disaffection among police or defence forces.
The charges stemmed from a series of viral recordings the officer made while at his official residence at ZRP Hatfield Police Camp. In the controversial videos, Mandizvidza made extraordinary declarations, including issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for all Chinese nationals living and doing business in Zimbabwe to leave the country.
He had also been accused of stealing a police vehicle after allegedly misrepresenting to his superior, Fidios Chiteure – the officer in charge of Police General Headquarters Pay and Records – that he had been sent by Commissioner Makomo to use a police Ford Ranger for official errands.
According to court records, Mandizvidza drove the vehicle to Waerera Village in Bindura, where it was subsequently recovered by authorities.
With the medical assessments unanimously confirming his unstable mental condition, the court ordered Mandizvidza’s indefinite committal to Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit.
His prosecution has been formally abandoned until medical professionals confirm his recovery and fitness to stand trial.
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