In a surprising turn of events, a female presenter from Platinum FM radio station, Thandeka Hilda Chitombo (30), who allegedly posed as a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative, was further remanded in custody. Chitombo, known on air as Ms Ndeka-T, was brought before the Chinhoyi Magistrate’s Court on Saturday and subsequently remanded until yesterday.
Chitombo is facing charges of impersonation, as outlined in section 179 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23. The complainant in the case is Mr Davies Mugadza, the station manager at Zimpapers’ Mashonaland West radio station, Platinum FM.
According to the State’s case, the accused initially approached Mr Mugadza in October 2023, expressing her interest in volunteering as a presenter. However, she later presented credentials that falsely portrayed her as a member of the CIO. Allegedly, Chitombo informed Mr Mugadza that she had been assigned to the radio station for a “CIO intelligence task.”
Concerned about the authenticity of her claims, Mr Mugadza contacted the CIO’s offices in Chinhoyi to verify her credentials. The CIO officials requested time to conduct an investigation. On Thursday, the team from the CIO contacted Mr Mugadza and disclaimed any association with the accused. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Mr Mugadza promptly made a police report, leading to Chitombo’s arrest on Friday at the radio station’s studios in Chinhoyi.
A subsequent search of Chitombo’s residence in the Ruvimbo high-density suburb uncovered a counterfeit diplomatic identification card, along with two fake Zanu PF identification cards purporting that she was a Central Committee member for Mashonaland West and Central provinces.
