Bogus police woman nabbed

Rusape (New Ziana) – An attempt to enjoy a free ride using police uniform backfired for a Headlands woman after she was arrested by alert police officers.

Winnie Ndakaziva Mavhudzi was dragged before Rusape Magistrates Court to answer charges of impersonating a police officer after she wore a police uniform to get a free ride to Harare.

She was facing charges of contravening section 66(b) of the Police Act Chapter 10:11 which prohibits members of the public from putting on a police uniform without permission of the Commissioner General of Police.

Mavhudzi denied the charges but was convicted after a full trial.

Magistrate Annia Ndiraya sentenced Mavhudzi to six months imprisonment wholly suspended on condition that she performs 210 hours of community service at Headlands Police Station. The community service will be completed in seven weeks.

Public Prosecutor Innocent Mwoyowaonda told the court that on May 26 last year, Mavhudzi being a discharged member of the Police Constabulary Branch unlawfully put on a police uniform and went to and from the Police General Headquarters in Harare without permission from the Commissioner General.

“On May 26, 2021 at Headlands bus stop, Headlands, the suspect knowingly not being a member of the Police Service and by conduct unlawfully pretended that she was a Police officer.

“That means Mavhudzi boarded a bus or private transport to and from Police General Headquarters for free whilst putting on a police uniform, thereby misrepresenting to the transporter that she was a police officer,” said the Public Prosecutor.
New Ziana