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A 24-year-old man from Highlands, Harare, Gerald Gumede, was convicted by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for impersonating a public official and unlawful possession of military camouflage, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) is reporting.
The two counts of which he was found guilty were:
Count 1: Between September 2025 and January 2026, Gumede falsely represented himself to a local lecturer as a military intelligence officer in the Zimbabwe National Army. He claimed he was sourcing accommodation for Zimbabwe Defence Forces personnel and could facilitate recruitment into the ZDF through alleged contacts in the President’s Department. In furtherance of the misrepresentation, Gumede collected the victim’s educational certificates and on one occasion took him to Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks.Count 2: On 5 January 2026, a search at his residence led to the recovery of a Zimbabwe National Army camouflage blanket, which Gumede possessed unlawfully. The State proved that the offender acted with the intention of securing free accommodation and upkeep from the victim.
The court sentenced Gumede to 24 months imprisonment for Count 1, of which six months were suspended for five years.
On the second count, he was sentenced to six months imprisonment, of which three months were suspended.
Gumede will serve an effective 21 months in prison.
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