A 31-year-old man from Dzivaresekwa, Harare, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after impersonating his brother to serve a court-ordered community service sentence on his behalf.
Tinashe Kaseva appeared at Dzivaresekwa Police Station in March 2025, identifying himself as his brother, Wilbert Kaseva, who had been ordered by the court to complete 210 hours of community service for a separate offence.
Using Wilbert’s national ID, Tinashe was able to begin serving the community service. The matter came to light in April when police followed up on an unrelated fraud case involving Wilbert.
 During questioning, Tinashe admitted that he had been serving the sentence under his brother’s name.
Following his arrest and court appearance, Tinashe was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the offence.

Pindula News

A man in Harare went to jail for pretending to be his brother and doing his community service. He used his brother's ID to trick the police. The police found out when they were investigating another case. The man admitted to what he did and was sent to prison for 15 months. It is important to always be honest and not pretend to be someone else, as it can lead to serious consequences.

Harare Man Jailed For Serving Brother’s Community Service Sentence

The Cabinet considered and approved the Zimbabwe School Examination Amendment Bill on Tuesday, 8 April.
If the bill is eventually passed into law, individuals convicted of leaking public examination question papers could face up to nine years in prison. Schools found guilty of the same offence would be deregistered and shut down under the proposed legislation.
The new regulations also state that anyone caught impersonating a student and sitting for an exam on their behalf will face imprisonment.
Previously, those found guilty of similar offences could face up to a year in jail, but in many cases, the courts opted for community service instead.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere, said:
<blockquote>
The decision to amend the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Act [Chapter 25:18] is to address challenges obtaining in the education sector, in particular, examination leakages, registration anomalies and fraudulent practices at some examination centres countrywide.
The Zimbabwe School Examinations Amendment Bill, 2024, therefore has inter-alia, the following objectives: streamlining Board functions to provide for the deregistration of non-compliant examination centres; strengthening of the operational efficiency of the Board; and reviewing of penalties for examination malpractices. More critically, the Bill eliminates leakages across all examination centres.
</blockquote>
Speaking at the same briefing, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerai Moyo, said:
<blockquote>
It should be noted that on leakages, we have had leakages especially in 2022 where more than five examination question papers leaked, especially, for Ordinary Level.
To address this mischief, we have come with this new Bill. According to section 141 of the Constitution, the general public will decide as they make submissions to the Bill, they will decide on the penalties, but what we are proffering as a solution is imprisonment of those culprits.
We are likely to come up with penalties, for leakage of one paper, one may be imprisoned for a period that exceeds nine years so that it becomes a deterrent measure to those who may want to engage in that criminal act.
Another measure is the deregistration of examination centres.
We are going to penalise those schools, registered or not. In the majority of cases unregistered centres as compared to registered centres (are often the culprits). So, we are going to deal decisively with this by deregistering these centres.
Another way is the issue of impersonation, where someone will masquerade as a bona fide student, writing the examination for another person. Those that will be caught will also face the same music and go to jail.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/exam-cheats-to-be-jailed-9yrs/">The Herald</a>

The government in Zimbabwe is making a new law that says if someone leaks exam papers they could go to jail for up to nine years. This law also says schools that do this will be closed. If someone pretends to be a student and takes an exam for them, they could go to jail too. Before, the punishment was not as severe. The government wants to stop exam cheating and make sure students take exams fairly. This new law will make sure people who cheat in exams face serious consequences.

New Bill Proposes 9-Year Jail Term For Leaking ZIMSEC Exam Papers, Impersonation

A 32-year-old unemployed man from Glen View 7 was sentenced to nine months in prison by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for impersonating a police officer.
The court heard that on a date that has not been disclosed, Ishmael Madara, dressed in full police uniform, stopped Victor Simbarashe Mudhara, who was driving his maroon Mercedes Benz along First Street and Samora Machel Avenue in Harare.
Madara accused Mudhara of using a cellphone while driving and entered the vehicle, claiming he could “assist” with the matter.
Suspicious of the false arrest, particularly since his car windows were tinted, Mudhara suggested stopping at a nearby police checkpoint for clarification.
However, Madara insisted on driving to ZRP Harare Central but tried to redirect the car elsewhere and became aggressive, threatening to detain Mudhara.
Feeling threatened, Mudhara drove to ZRP General Headquarters to report the incident. When questioned, Madara failed to produce a police identity card and attempted to flee on foot.
He was quickly apprehended, and the fake police uniform was seized.

A man in Harare was jailed for pretending to be a police officer. He stopped a driver and said he could help with a phone violation. The driver got suspicious and suggested going to a real police checkpoint. The man got angry and threatened the driver. The driver drove to a real police station to report the fake officer. The man tried to run away but was caught. He was sentenced to nine months in prison for his actions.

Unemployed Harare Man, 32, Jailed Over False Arrest And Impersonating Police Officer

A bogus Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative, Shepherd Mangoma, appeared in the Harare Magistrates Court on Friday, facing charges of impersonation, fraud, and theft of trust property, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200036540/bogus-cio-operative-dupes-farmer-of-us30k">reported NewsDay</a>.
The charges stemmed from his deceitful claims to a local farmer, Kudakwashe Mbaura, that he could help him secure another farm.
Magistrate Ruth Moyo granted Mangoma bail set at US$300.
According to court documents, on August 12, 2021, Mangoma misrepresented himself as an employee of the President’s department, even producing a fake identity card.
This deception led Mbaura to believe that Mangoma could assist him in acquiring a farm. Mangoma instructed Mbaura to identify a desired location, which he chose in the Grange area of Odzi, Manicaland Province.
On the same day, Mangoma requested US$450 from Mbaura, claiming the money was needed as kickbacks for his “bosses” who would facilitate the farm acquisition. Trusting Mangoma, Mbaura drove to Harare and handed over the cash before returning to Mutare.
Between August 2021 and November 2023, Mangoma continued to exploit Mbaura, convincing him to pay for various expenses, including farming equipment, transport fees for the equipment, tractor repairs, and fees for land officers who were supposed to inspect the farm.
He also solicited payments for ZANU PF officials assessing the farm, security fees for guards he claimed would be sent from Harare, and a donation for the 2023 Zimbabwe Independence Day celebrations.
In total, Mbaura paid Mangoma US$27,724 and ZWL$66,000 over several transactions.
At times, Mangoma received the funds through alleged accomplices, identified as Madondo and Obert Mpofu, who are currently at large.
Despite Mbaura’s repeated requests for documentation to confirm the arrangements, Mangoma consistently offered false promises.
When Mbaura demanded a refund, Mangoma allegedly threatened him with death.
In February 2024, Mbaura was arrested by detectives in Mutare and phoned Mangoma to inform him of the situation.
Mangoma requested to speak with the detectives and claimed to be employed by the President’s department, further convincing Mbaura of his legitimacy.
He even offered to help Mbaura find a lawyer for his case, leading Mbaura to trust him enough to give US$900 for legal fees.
Mangoma, however, did not engage a lawyer and instead used the money for personal expenses.
On December 23, Mbaura discovered through social media that Mangoma had previously been arrested for similar offences.
This revelation prompted him to report the matter to ZRP Mutare Central, where he was referred to the CID’s PACU for further investigation.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A fake CIO agent named Shepherd Mangoma tricked a farmer named Kudakwashe Mbaura into giving him money to help him get a farm. He took over US$27,000 from Mbaura by lying and promising to help him. He even threatened Mbaura when asked for a refund. Mangoma also tricked Mbaura into giving him money for legal fees for a case that didn't exist. When Mbaura found out about Mangoma's past crimes, he reported him to the police. Mangoma is now facing charges of impersonation, fraud, and theft.

Farmer Defrauded Of Over US$27,000 By Fake CIO Agent

A 47-year-old man from Budiriro, Harare, has been arrested for impersonating a detective in a scheme to defraud a family featured on Tilder Moyo’s Star FM program, “Tilder Live Show: Zvinoyera nezvinotyisa nezvinoda kufumurwa,” which aired on December 17, 2024.
According to Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the suspect, Shepherd Mangoma, faces charges of impersonation and extortion following his arrest.
The incident began when family members of the late Darlington Tendai Mapiki appeared on Moyo’s show to contest post-mortem results that indicated he had committed suicide. They expressed their belief that foul play was involved.
Mangoma allegedly approached the family, falsely presenting himself as a police officer. He requested US$500, promising to provide information about Darlington Tendai’s death and to facilitate the arrest of individuals linked to the suspected “murder.” Reads the statement from the ZRP:
<blockquote>
Reference is made to Tilder Moyo’s Star FM programme titled “Tilder Live Show, Zvinoyera nezvinotyisa nezvinoda kufumurwa,” held on 17th December 2024.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of a bogus police officer, Shepherd Mangoma (47) of Budiriro, Harare for impersonation and extortion.
The arrest of the suspect follows the appearance of the late Darlington Tendai Mapiki’s family members on the Star FM programme, “Tilder Live Show, Zvinoyera nezvinotyisa nezvinoda kufumurwa,” where they raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the death of Darlington Tendai Mapiki on 27th October 2024 in Rugare.
The family disputed the post-mortem results, which indicated that Mapiki had committed suicide and suspected foul play instead.
The family members claimed that on 09th December 2024, they were approached by the suspect who posed as a detective stationed at CID Homicide, Harare.
The suspect allegedly claimed to have information concerning the death of Darlington Tendai Mapiki and demanded USD 500.00 from the family members to facilitate the arrest of the suspects linked to Darlington Tendai Mapiki’s death.
He alleged that the pathologist was bribed to manipulate the post-mortem results and that five people who include a businessman and traditional healer, were involved in Darlington Tendai Mapiki’s murder for ritual purposes.
On 18th December 2024, the family reported the matter at the CID Police Anti-Corruption unit, Harare leading to a trap being set.
The suspect was arrested at Rainbow Towers Hotel, Harare after being handed USD 200.00 by the family.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores the public to be vigilant and report individuals who approach them claiming to be police officers on the streets, shopping centres or other places outside police establishments, demanding cash or personal information as part of Police inquiries.
The public should report such individuals on National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man pretended to be a detective and tried to trick a family who were on a talk show into giving him money. The family was talking about the suspicious death of their relative on the radio. The fake detective said he had information about the death and wanted money to help them. But the family got suspicious and reported him to the real police. He was caught when they gave him some money to trick him. The real police warn people to be careful and report anyone pretending to be a cop and asking for money.

Bogus Cop Arrested For Extorting Bereaved Family Featured On Tilder Moyo's Star FM Programme

Two men from Epworth, Harare, appeared before the Epworth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday facing charges of violating the ZIMSEC Act. Specifically, they were accused of attempting to impersonate another person during an examination.
The court heard that on October 16, 2024, the two defendants, Paddington Chataika (36) and Joseph Murimba (33), conspired for Murimba to take the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) Mathematics Paper 2 on behalf of Chataika, who was a registered candidate. As part of their plan, Chataika provided Murimba with a copy of his passport to facilitate the impersonation.
The scheme was uncovered when a whistleblower alerted ZIMSEC officials, who, along with police, went to the examination centre. They discovered Murimba in the examination room, having already completed the test.
Both defendants were convicted and sentenced to 12 months in prison, with 6 months suspended. The remaining 6 months were also suspended on the condition that they complete 210 hours of community service.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two men from Epworth, Harare were caught trying to cheat on a ZIMSEC examination. They planned for one man to take the test for the other by impersonating him. The plan failed when officials caught the impersonator in the act. Both men were found guilty and sentenced to 6 months in prison, with the other 6 months suspended. They also have to do 210 hours of community service. Cheating is wrong and they got caught breaking the law.

Epworth Men Convicted And Sentenced For ZIMSEC Examination Impersonation

A Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Sergeant lost a lorry loaded with one-and-half tonnes of shelled maize, to thieves on Friday last week in Caledonia.
According to <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/soldier-loses-truck-loaded-with-maize/">H-Metro</a>, Sergeant Ticharwa Mafuruse (37) drove a ZNA Nissan UD40 lorry (08DB11) from Kotwa and parked it at New Style Bar, Gazebo Shops, in Caledonia, to buy some cigarettes and left keys in the ignition chamber.
Two men jumped into the vehicle and drove away. Mafuruse tried in vain to jump into the driver seat, to try and stop the thieves. He sustained injuries on his left arm and ankle.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Harare Province, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, said Mafuruse was referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital for treatment. He said:
<blockquote>
Police are investigating a theft of a motor vehicle loaded with shelled maize in Caledonia. The total value stolen is to be supplied.
</blockquote>
In an unrelated incident, a 25-year-old man was arrested in Harare for kidnapping, robbery and impersonation after he, together with an accomplice, abducted and robbed an unnamed victim in Graniteside while claiming to be CIO operatives. The ZRP confirmed the crimes via their X page saying:
<blockquote>
Police in Harare have arrested Cephas Nyamajiwa (25) for kidnapping, robbery and impersonation. The suspect together with his accomplice, only identified as Manyerere, forced the victim into their motor vehicle, a Toyota Chaser, registration number ADE 2313, on 06/04/24 at a bus stop along Seke Road in Graniteside.
The suspects introduced themselves as members of the ZRP and President’s Office before attacking the victim and stealing US$600 cash.
The victim was dumped at Chikwanha Shopping Centre, Chitungwiza. Swift reaction by the police after a report was made by the victim led to the arrest of Cephas Nyamajiwa and the recovery of the suspects’ getaway vehicle and a pair of handcuffs.
</blockquote>
Last month, a 42-year-old man from Glendale, Mazowe was ordered to pay a fine of US$300 by the Karoi Magistrates’ Court for impersonation.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on December 6, 2023, the accused person arrived at the Chirundu border post driving a South African-registered Toyota Hilux.
He then presented a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) to a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) revenue supervisor.
However, the supervisor noticed that the TIP was not issued in the accused person’s name, as legally required.
When questioned about the irregularity, the accused person asserted that he was an undercover operative from the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO). He said he was investigating politicians.
The supervisor was not convinced by the accused person’s story. A thorough inquiry revealed that the man was not a legitimate public officer.
Instead, he had assumed a false identity, attempting to exploit his supposed undercover status.
The case was brought before the Karoi Magistrates’ Court. The court found the accused person guilty of impersonation.
As a result, he was sentenced to 7 months of imprisonment. However, 3 months of the sentence were suspended, provided he paid a fine of US$300. An additional 4 months were suspended for five years.
Impersonating a public official is a criminal offence under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Section 179 of the Criminal Law Code states that any person who, with the intention of obtaining an advantage (either for themselves or someone else), impersonates a police officer, peace officer, or public official, commits the offence of impersonation.
The act of impersonation involves falsely assuming the role of an official to gain an advantage or instil fear. Here is what the law says on impersonation:
<blockquote>
179 Impersonating police officer, peace officer or public official
(1) Any person who, for the purpose of obtaining any advantage, whether for himself or herself or for some other person, impersonates a police officer, peace officer or public official shall be guilty of impersonating a police officer, peace officer or public official, as the case may be, and liable
(a) in a case where the accused impersonated a peace officer or police officer, to a fine not exceeding level ten or imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or both;
(b) in any other case, to a fine not exceeding level six or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or both.
(2) Where a person is accused of impersonating a police officer, peace officer or public official acting under an enactment which makes such impersonation a crime, such person shall be charged under that enactment and not under subsection (1).
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Soldier Loses Truckload Of Maize To Thieves; Bogus CIO Operatives Arrested

Three men suspected to be con artists who were impersonating police officers were arrested by police detectives on Saturday in Mutare Central Business District.
<a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/new-city-bogus-cops-nabbed/">The Manica Post</a> reported eyewitnesses as saying police detectives swooped on the trio after having monitored their movements and trekked them.
The bogus cops were reportedly yanked out of their vehicle in a car park near Mukuru money transfer’s city branch and put in their handcuffs before being taken away.
The suspects were allegedly notorious for extorting illegal forex dealers, vendors outside supermarkets and unsuspecting members of the public.
An illegal forex dealer who declined to be named told The Manica Post that people thought the suspects were bona fide cops. Said the dealer:
<blockquote>
All this while I thought these men were genuine cops. They used to come here frequently and would demand money from forex dealers who mill around this place.
I have easily recognised one of them because he was once nearly manhandled outside a supermarket near the main bus terminus at Mudzviti.
The police detectives must be commended for doing a good job because these men were terrorising and duping people in the city.
</blockquote>
According to <a href="https://lawportalzim.co.zw/cases/criminal/763/sentencing-re-impersonation">lawportalzim.co.zw</a>, the penalty for impersonating a police officer in Zimbabwe varies depending on the circumstances of the case. In one case, the accused was cautioned and discharged. In another case, the trial court ruled that no other form of punishment other than a term of imprisonment was appropriate in the circumstances.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Three Notorious Bogus Cops Arrested In Mutare

Police in Harare have arrested a bogus Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officer who moved around threatening government officials at their offices.
Posting on their official Twitter page, Police said that Mark Jack (36), was arrested on Monday. Reads the post:
<blockquote>
The public is warned against abusing the names of senior Government officials to extort money and commit other crimes duping the public.
On 05/12/22, ZRP Kopje arrested Mark Jack (36) in connection with a case of impersonating a public official.
The suspect allegedly produced a fake President’s Department ID while threatening Government officials at their offices.
</blockquote>
In another case of impersonating a public official, Police in Zvishavane arrested Farai Moyo (29) on Tuesday.
Police said Moyo was arrested for impersonation after he was found wearing a police uniform at Mandava Business Centre.

Bogus CIO Officer Who Threatened Govt Officials Arrested

A 26-year-old Bulawayo man has been jailed for writing a Zimbabwe School Examination Council O’ Level Mathematics examination for another person.
Osmund Sibanda (26) from Cowdray Park in Bulawayo was hired by the candidate, Jeffrey Mumpande, to write the public exam for him and was only caught while writing the final paper.
The two men appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Godswill Mavenge on Tuesday and were convicted of impersonation charges.
Sibanda and Mumpande both pleaded guilty to the offence and will serve eight months in jail each.
Prosecutors told the court that on 20 October at around 9 AM, Mumpande gave his national identity card and a statement of entry to Sibanda so that he could sit for Maths Paper Two on his behalf.
The matter came to light when the invigilator Simelokuhle Zvavanjanja was doing the verification process on all candidates and discovered that Sibanda was using Mumpande’s identity card. Court records read in part:
Investigations were carried out and it was discovered that the accused connived with Jeffery Mumpande to sit for his Mathematics examination using his candidate number 3088 and centre number 04377.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the duo’s arrest.
Investigations established that the duo had used the same tactic to write the first paper on 19 October and were not caught.
The magistrate handed them 12-month jail terms each before suspending four months for five years on condition that they do not commit a similar offence. | <a href="https://vicfallslive.co.zw/index.php/2022/10/26/tailor-hired-to-write-o-level-maths-paper-jailed-eight-months/">VicFallsLive</a>

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