A 34-year-old man from Kuwadzana 6 in Harare has been sentenced to seven years and six months in prison by the Chegutu Magistrates’ Court after being convicted of robbery, kidnapping, impersonating public officials and unlawful possession of dangerous drugs.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the man and his accomplices, who are still at large, used a white Toyota Hilux to commit crimes in Chegutu on 26 January 2026, posing as police officers and officials from the City of Harare and the Ministry of Defence using fake identity cards.
In the first incident, the group assaulted a man at his home, handcuffed him, stole US$1,500 and forced him into their vehicle. He later escaped and reported the matter.
In a second incident the same day, they kidnapped another victim, moved him through various areas and later released him along the Harare-Bulawayo Road after his family paid a US$2,000 ransom.
Police intercepted the Hilux at a roadblock near the 39km peg in Norton. The suspect was arrested after his accomplices fled. A search of the vehicle uncovered fake City of Harare, War Veterans and Ministry of Defence IDs, vehicle clamps, handcuffs and a baton.
The court imposed sentences on all four counts, with an effective term of seven years and six months. The US$1,155 recovered will be shared equally between the two victims as restitution.
The vehicle clamps are to be returned to the City of Harare, the handcuffs to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and the dagga and fake IDs forfeited to the State for destruction.
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