Story by Parvel Makona
THE trial of a 38-year-old man accused of kidnapping a former employee while posing as a police officer has begun at the Harare Magistrates’ Court.
Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai is facing a charge of kidnapping or unlawful detention as defined in Section 93 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
According to the State, the alleged offence occurred in May 2025 in Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza.
The complainant told the court that Rondozai and four other suspects, who remain at large, arrived at his home at about 9pm in a silver Honda Fit.
The State alleges that two of the men identified themselves as police officers before informing the complainant, Mutanda, that he was under arrest. He was then taken to the vehicle, where he recognised Rondozai as his former manager at a local security company.
Court papers further allege that the group assaulted the complainant, handcuffed and blindfolded him before driving him around for several hours against his will.
While he was allegedly being held, the accused demanded information on how the security company provided protection to its senior officials.
The complainant was later abandoned near a bridge along New Chitungwiza Road. Fearing for his safety, he fled to South Africa and only returned in December 2025.
The matter was remanded to July 8 for the continuation of the trial.
