Tinotenda Hove – The transfer of Masvingo Provincial Police Commander, Commissioner Fredrick Mbengwa, to Harare has sparked widespread speculation, with unverified claims circulating that the move may be linked to his alleged position on Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).

However, police authorities have dismissed the allegations, insisting that the reassignment is part of normal administrative procedures within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).

According to police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyati, the deployment and movement of senior officers is a routine exercise carried out under the authority of the Commissioner-General of Police and should not be interpreted as punishment or linked to political issues.

Police sources confirmed that Assistant Commissioner Peter Sibanda has since been appointed as the new Officer Commanding Masvingo Province following Mbengwa’s transfer.

Mbengwa had been leading the province since January 2025 after taking over from Commissioner Crispen Charumbira, who was reassigned to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). His departure from Masvingo comes less than two years after assuming the senior post.

While speculation continues over the reasons behind the transfer, police officials maintain that such changes are standard practice aimed at strengthening operations and management across different provinces.