A 23-year-old man has pleaded guilty to impersonating Deputy Chief Justice after using WhatsApp to pose as the senior judge and inquire about Judicial Service Commission interview schedules.
Martin Rashai, 23, entered a guilty plea to impersonation before magistrate at the Harare Magistrates' Court.
He remains in custody and is expected to be sentenced today.
The court heard that on May 5, 2026, Rashai sent WhatsApp messages to Tafadzwa Sekeni, the JSC Deputy Head of Human Resources, and Abigail Ziti, a Human Resources Officer.
Introducing himself as Garwe, Rashai asked the officials to confirm dates for upcoming Information Technology Officer interviews.
He also inquired about a Transport Officer vacancy at Kwekwe Magistrates' Court.
According to the State, the direct approach and his interest in junior posts raised suspicion, as a Constitutional Court judge would ordinarily channel such inquiries through departmental heads.
When Ziti asked where he was stationed, Rashai responded that he was based at the Constitutional Court. Believing she was communicating with a senior judge, Ziti provided the information he requested.
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Ziti later attempted to call the number, but it was unreachable. She then placed a WhatsApp call, which went unanswered, prompting Rashai to request that communication continue via text messages.
She subsequently asked him to confirm his identity, and Rashai allegedly reaffirmed that he was Garwe.
On May 7, 2026, Ziti reported the exchange to Sekeni, who revealed that he had also been contacted from the same number.
An internal JSC investigation established that Rashai was impersonating the Deputy Chief Justice.
The following day, Ziti formally reported the matter to Deputy Secretary Katsande after the impersonation was confirmed.
Investigators later discovered that Rashai had previously applied for a JSC vacancy, enabling authorities to trace him through the contact details and address he had provided.
A follow-up operation led to his arrest in Hurungwe.
Police obtained a search-and-seizure warrant compelling to provide subscriber information and call records linked to the number used in the offence.
Records supplied by NetOne confirmed that the mobile number was registered in Rashai's name.
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