By A Correspondent -The Zimbabwe Republic Police is attempting to shut down speculation around the fatal crash that killed Detective Sergeant Milika Laison, 43, but its own account leaves glaring gaps and contradictions that demand scrutiny.

In a recent press release, National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the force was “troubled by false and distorted narratives circulating online regarding Detective Sergeant Milika Laison (43) and the current Sergeants’ Development Course at Ntabazinduna Academy.” He insisted the death was “a tragic road accident at the 203km mark on the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway, at about 10pm on 25 June 2026, while the officer was driving a Honda Fit toward Masvingo.”

According to Nyathi, “He was travelling from Beitbridge. He was not returning from Ntabazinduna Academy as claimed online.” The Commissioner added that academy records “show no sign-in for the deceased on 19 June 2026 when other participants arrived.” A June 20 attendance check, he said, listed Milika among officers who had not reported. CID Headquarters then allegedly informed Ntabazinduna that Milika “had submitted a resignation and would not attend training,” after which his name was struck off the absentee list.

Yet the police then entertain the very scenario they dismiss: “If Detective Sergeant Milika entered the academy on 19 June 2026 through irregular means or without being recorded, and left on 20 June 2026, then disciplinary steps will be taken against the instructors who failed to follow ZRP training procedures,” Nyathi stated. That caveat undermines the certainty of the earlier denial and suggests lapses in access control at a national training depot.

The statement also addresses Milika’s own social media posts, in which he reportedly complained of “inhumane treatment by instructors at the depot.” Nyathi said the Commissioner-General, Stephen Mutamba, has ordered a probe “to verify those claims, and to establish whether the deceased used a private vehicle to access the academy, which is prohibited under training rules.” The fact that such a probe is needed, days after the death, points to weak oversight and record-keeping.

Police further claim Milika was “at his base station, CID Beitbridge, on 20 June 2026, where he met his Officer-in-Charge.” No supporting documentation was provided.

Closing, Nyathi condemned online commentary: “It is unfortunate that certain people are using social media to misrepresent facts and create panic within the ZRP.” He added, “The ZRP rejects these inaccurate claims in the strongest terms,” and urged the family “to seek accurate information from the police rather than rely on social media activists.”