Gambakwe, in the video you referred to, provides a detailed analysis and update on the situation involving Assistant Inspector Simbarashe Mandizvidza and the recent incident where Mandizvidza declared himself the new head of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in videos that circulated starting August 13, 2025.
Key points Gambakwe makes include:
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Mandizvidza first recorded the video before disappearing from the Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) in Harare with a police vehicle.
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The video went viral, and Mandizvidza made various declarations, including ordering Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe to leave within 48 hours.
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Gambakwe observes that Mandizvidza was not alone when recording the video; someone off-camera seemed to be guiding or instructing him, suggesting the act was not spontaneous.
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The event was part of a planned operation that involved other junior officers, but it failed because other collaborators did not join.
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He explains that a police-led coup alone is unlikely to succeed without army support, hinting that there was supposed to be a coordinated announcement from the military which did not happen.
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He highlights that Mandizvidza is a relatively junior officer (Assistant Inspector) but among the top 3,000 police officers out of an estimated 45,000 total in the ZRP.
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Mandizvidza’s role as Member in Charge of the Senior Officers Desk at PGHQ means he was known within the police but not to the public.
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Gambakwe stresses that the plan to take over the police was carefully timed for August 13, a day following holidays when many officers and civilians are away.
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After the failed attempt, investigations are ongoing, and some officers involved are allegedly on the run.
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Gambakwe expresses skepticism about the success of the coup from such a junior officer without broader support, and he suggests there is very little public support for such a takeover.
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He also contextualizes the event within broader national concerns and mentions related security matters such as drug thefts from hospitals that may indicate larger underlying issues.
Overall, Gambakwe considers the incident serious, involving multiple actors, and part of a larger potential plot that has been disrupted but will be investigated thoroughly. He provides detailed commentary on the implications and likely next steps for the police and government.
