Impostor Cop named Patrick Vashco aged 25 from Glendale, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after being found guilty of raping a domestic worker three times without protection. The judgment was delivered by Bindura regional magistrate Elisha Singano following a detailed trial in which the court heard harrowing testimony from the victim and compelling evidence from the prosecution.
The incident, which occurred on April 10, began when the complainant, a woman working as a maid, was sent by her employer to collect a parcel from the Glendale bus terminus. She was given her employer’s mobile phone to facilitate communication during the errand. However, upon arrival at the terminus, she realized she had lost the phone. Overcome with distress and fear of how her employer would react, she began to cry.
It was at this vulnerable moment that Vashco approached her. Dressed in plain clothes, he falsely claimed to be a police officer. Upon noticing her tears, he asked what had happened, and the woman explained that she had lost the phone entrusted to her by her employer. Pretending to offer help, Vashco told her that she needed to file a statement with the police regarding the lost phone. Claiming that it was a legal requirement, he offered to accompany her to the local police station.
Unaware of his true intentions and believing she was in the custody of an official authority figure, the maid agreed to go with him. However, instead of taking her to the station, Vashco led her into a bushy area near the bus terminus. There, he forcibly raped her without using protection.
Following the first assault, Vashco became increasingly violent. He struck the victim, threatened to kill her if she tried to escape or raise an alarm, and then force-marched her along the Shamva–Harare highway. Eventually, he led her to a second isolated location, where he raped her twice more under similar brutal conditions.
After committing the assaults, Impostor Cop took the visibly traumatized woman to a nearby bar. Shockingly, he planned to continue with his day as though nothing had happened, ordering drinks and mingling with patrons. It was during this time that the victim found an opportunity to discreetly alert a bar attendant about what had happened. The bar worker, upon hearing the woman’s story, immediately notified the police.
Impostor Cop Jailed 45 Years for Multiple Rape Charges
Law enforcement officers responded swiftly. A report was filed, and Impostor Cop was arrested shortly afterward. Investigations confirmed the complainant’s account of events, and the prosecution, led by Edward Katsvairo, successfully presented a detailed case against the accused.
Throughout the trial, the court heard that Impostor Cop had deliberately taken advantage of the woman’s vulnerable emotional state. His impersonation of a police officer added a layer of manipulation that made the victim more compliant, believing she was being escorted to follow a legal process. The court condemned Vashco’s actions as predatory, premeditated, and violent.
In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Elisha Impostor Cop emphasized the seriousness of the offense. He noted that Impostor Cop had not only committed multiple counts of rape but had done so by abusing the trust and authority typically associated with law enforcement. Impostor Cop stated that the lengthy sentence was necessary to reflect the gravity of the crimes and to serve as a deterrent to others who might consider similar actions.
The victim, though still recovering from the traumatic experience, is receiving counseling and support. The community has expressed outrage over the incident, with many calling for stronger protections for domestic workers and harsher penalties for those who impersonate law enforcement officials.
The case has highlighted ongoing issues related to gender-based violence, abuse of authority, and the vulnerabilities faced by domestic workers in Zimbabwe. It also underscores the importance of prompt reporting and community intervention in helping bring perpetrators to justice.
Impostor Cop will serve his sentence in a maximum-security prison, and he is not eligible for early release under current sentencing guidelines.
