Bulawayo Man Jailed Six Months for Impersonating Police Officer
Bulawayo Man Jailed Six Months for Impersonating Police Officer – A 43-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to an effective six months in prison after he was convicted of impersonating a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer and serving court documents while posing as a police sergeant.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) identified the convicted man as Nhamo Karuru.
In a statement, the NPAZ said Karuru travelled to Montrose Farm 3 in Filabusi in January 2026 dressed in a ZRP uniform, where he falsely introduced himself as Sergeant Nyoni of ZRP Tredgold Court before serving a summons relating to a protection order.
“On the 2nd of February 2026, the offender went to Dlamini Township, Matsheumhlophe, Bulawayo, where he falsely identified himself as Sergeant Nyoni and served the second victim with summons relating to another protection order case,” the NPAZ said.
The victims became suspicious of his identity and reported the matter to police, leading to investigations and his arrest.
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According to prosecutors, officers recovered a fake police identity card, a police notebook bearing the name Sergeant Nyoni and a ZRP reflective jacket from Karuru.
A subsequent search at his girlfriend’s residence in Magwegwe West allegedly uncovered more police equipment, including uniforms, riot gear, handcuffs, combat boots, sergeant rank insignia and name tags bearing the name Sergeant Nyoni.
Karuru was initially charged with two counts of impersonating a police officer. However, one charge was withdrawn after a key witness based in the United Kingdom failed to testify.
The Tredgold Magistrates’ Court sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment, with six months suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence. He will therefore serve an effective six-month jail term.
“The NPAZ warns that impersonating law enforcement officers is a serious criminal offence that undermines public trust in the justice system,” the prosecution authority said.
