A Harare man allegedly posed as a Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigator to gain access to a remand prisoner at Harare Central Prison.
Prosecutors say he used a fake identity card and was exposed after prison officials verified his credentials with ZACC.
Collen Chikwana, 26, appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court over the weekend charged with impersonation.
According to the State, Chikwana reported a fraud case against Tawanda Blessing Mangwiro on July 4, 2026. Mangwiro is currently being held on remand at Harare Central Prison.
The State alleges that six days later, on July 10, Chikwana went to the prison accompanied by two police officers from Chegutu.
Upon arrival, the officers introduced themselves to the duty officer, prison guard Malvin Ngonidzashe Garande.
Prosecutors allege that Chikwana, knowing that only authorised law enforcement officers are permitted to interview inmates, falsely represented himself as a ZACC investigator.
He allegedly produced an identity card bearing the name Zimbabwe National Anti-Corruption Organization, claiming it had been issued by ZACC.
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Relying on that representation, prison officials granted the group access to the prison's records and administration section, where interviews between law enforcement officers and inmates are conducted.
While in the interview room, Mangwiro allegedly recognised Chikwana as the complainant in the fraud case and immediately alerted the supervising officer, Simon Mavaku.
The court heard that Mavaku consulted senior prison officials, who instructed that Chikwana be asked to verify his identity and explain how he had gained access to the restricted area.
According to the State, Chikwana again claimed to be a ZACC investigator and produced the same ZINACO identity card.
Prison authorities then contacted ZACC to verify his credentials.
The commission confirmed that Chikwana was not employed by ZACC and that the identity card he presented had not been issued by the commission.
He was subsequently arrested.
Investigations allege that Chikwana used the ZINACO identity card, which resembles an official ZACC identification card, to falsely present himself as a commission investigator and gain unauthorised access to the prison's restricted interview facilities.
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