5 arrested for impersonating ZACC officers

Michael Mashiri

Five men have been arraigned to facing impersonation charges, among them there two suspended Zimbabwe Republic Police officers and two are serving members

Tinashe Mhere, 27, Peter Maodzeka, 30, of Chibvunge Extension, Nyasha Ndumo, 32, of Kuwadzana Phase 3 Extension, Luckmore Makwara, 36, of New Stands Retreat and Raymond Banda, 28, of Mufakose, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with impersonation.

The complainant in this matter is the State represented by Artwell Mpofu an Investigations Officer with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

The State, through prosecutor Grace Mugocheke, alleges that on September 26, 2023, Mhere and David Nyasuka, who is still at large approached one Tawanda Dekwende a car sales man at corner Prince Edward and Josiah Tongogara car park, claiming to be selling a car.

Dekwende requested to see their national identification cards first so that he would draft the agreement of sale.

The accused then informed him that they were genuine people who were gainfully employed by the Zimbabwe Anti- Corruption Commission and as such had no reason to dupe him.

To persuade Dakwende to come to terms with their demands, accused produced ZACC identity cards.

The informant insisted that they should produce national identification cards as the ZACC identification cards were not appropriate for business transactions.

ZACC investigations officers quickly reacted and arrested Mhere upon their return.

Upon arrest, Mhere was searched and found in possession of a fake ZACC identity card in the name of David Nyasuka.

Further investigations by ZACC unearthed that Mhere was allegedly working in cahoots with Maodzeka, Ndumo, Makwara, Banda and Nyasuka who is still at large.

A follow-up which was made led to the arrest of accused Maodzeka, Ndumo, Makwara, Banda and Nyasuka

Upon arrest, ZACC investigations officers searched the accused persons and recovered a national identity card and Zimbabwe Republic Police identification card from Ndumo, and national Identification cards from Maodzeka and Banda.

Investigations carried out revealed that Maodzeka is a retired member of Zimbabwe Republic Police, while Ndumo and Makwara are serving members of Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Currently, Ndumo and Makwara are allegedly on suspension for extortion allegations.

They were ordered to appear tomorrow for continuation of bail application.