Bogus ZRP officer arrested after taking street fighters to police station

Fake ZRP detail

There was drama in the city centre last week when a police imposter bolted out of the charge office at the Bulawayo Central Police Station where he wanted to release suspects arrested for public fighting, a city magistrate has heard.

This was after the arresting detail had discovered that he was masquerading as a policeman. Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Abednicho Dube, who has since left the bench for greener pastures, heard this at the initial appearance of Zephaniah Jekese (41), of 14819 Cowdray Park who is facing charges of contravening Section 179 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (impersonating a police officer).

He was remanded on US$20 bail to 14 September. The prosecutor, Mr Trust Muduma, told the court that on 28 August, at about 9.45pm, the complainant, Constable Hardlife Mhaka, arrested two people for public fighting in the city centre.

He took them to Bulawayo Central Police Station. On their way, Jekese approached one of the arrested people and told him that he could negotiate for their release from Const Mhaka, since he was also a policeman.

Both accused gave him US$30 for him to facilitate their release. When they arrived at the charge office, Const Mhaka inquired from Jekese if he was indeed a policeman and he admitted to be one. He asked for his police identity card, which Jekese handed over to him.

However, Const Mhaka discovered that the ID was fake. The court heard that before he could do anything, Jekese grabbed it from him and bolted out of the charge office with Const Mhaka in hot pursuit.

He managed to arrest him, but it was not before Jekese had thrown the fake ID into his mouth and chewed it. It is alleged that Const Mhaka tried to retrieve it, but Jekese swallowed it. He was searched and was found in possession of police trousers in his bag and a docket was compiled against him.