ZRP Threatens Action Over Viral Video Claiming Police Assaulted Zimbabweans Returning From South Africa
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has threatened action over a viral video falsely linked to claims that officers were assaulting Zimbabweans returning from South Africa at Beitbridge Border Post. Police say the footage was recorded during a mining operation in Mazowe and has nothing to do with returning immigrants.
The clarification came on Saturday, 4 July 2026, after the video spread widely on social media.
ZRP Says Viral Beitbridge Video Claim Is False
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the footage was wrongly presented as showing an operation against people arriving from South Africa.
In its statement, the ZRP said:
“The ZRP dismisses a viral social media post on a video with claims that police officers are assaulting or targeting returning immigrants from South Africa at the Beitbridge Border Post.”
Police said the incident shown in the clip happened at Jumbo Mine in Mazowe during an earlier mining operation.
The ZRP added:
“For the record, the video in question relates to a mining operation incident at Jumbo Mine in Mazowe sometime back.”
The police force stressed that the footage was not connected to events at Beitbridge.
“It has nothing to do at all with returning residents from South Africa or the situation at Beitbridge Border Post.”
Jumbo Mine Video Sparks Questions From Zimbabweans
Despite the clarification, several Zimbabweans on X turned their attention to the conduct of officers shown in the footage.
Justin questioned whether the officers’ actions were consistent with the police service charter.
“So the behavior of the officers is in line with the @PoliceZimbabwe service charter?”
Another user, Vegaz, asked:
“But is it fine to beat any citizen, even though they broke the law?”
Khule.G also questioned whether the earlier Mazowe incident had been addressed.
“Did you apologize for the Mazowe issue? Did you hold those unruly Mazoe officers to account?”
The exact date of the Jumbo Mine incident was not provided in the ZRP statement.
Police Launch Investigation Into False Social Media Claims
The ZRP said investigations had now been opened into the circulation of the claims.
Police said:
“The ZRP therefore dismisses as false and misleading social media claims alleging that police officers are conducting an operation targeting returning immigrants.”
The force added:
“Investigations have now been instituted to account for those who are peddling false information through abuse or misuse of social media platforms.”
The police statement clears Beitbridge of the incident shown in the viral clip. However, questions raised online have now shifted towards the earlier Jumbo Mine operation and the conduct captured in the footage.
The post ZRP Breaks Silence On Viral Video Linked To Zimbabweans Returning From South Africa appeared first on iHarare News.
