A photo of retired Assistant Commissioner Crispen Makedenge, formerly a top officer in the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), has resurfaced on social media, sparking heated discussions. The image, though not recent, shows the once-feared head of the CID Law and Order Division in apparent decline, igniting conversations about justice, accountability, and spiritual repercussions.
Reshared Image Revives Old Wounds
Political analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya shared the image on X, reigniting memories of Makedenge’s controversial past. Social media was flooded with reactions, ranging from personal accounts to cautionary messages.
Journalist Chofamba Sithole recalled,
“Makedaz! I had a memorably unsettling experience with him when I was news editor at The Mirror and Tawanda Majoni was arrested over a story. He had this aura of coldness, of lifelessness about him.”
Vincent Kahiya, another journalist and media practitioner, echoed similar sentiments:
“How can I ever forget the smell of Madison [cigarettes] during interrogations? He was methodical, almost detached in his actions.”
Leonard Koni reflected,
“Mudhara aishingurudza vanhu ku police uyu but hapana chisingaperi.” (This man tormented people at the police, but nothing lasts forever.)
Masola Wa Dabu Dabu, another user, commented,
“Isn’t this ngozi or kutanda botso [atonement for wrongdoing], baba vairema kare kwavo.”
Ngozi or Karma? Zimbabwe Reacts to Ex-Top Cop Crispen Makedenge’s Tragic Turn
A Warning for Law Enforcers Who Abuse Office
Several users used the photo as a cautionary tale for those in positions of power. Citizen Dhehwa tweeted,
“Inspector Makedenge was a law unto himself, but shiri inozongofa [everything will eventually end].”
A user identified as @TinoMabwe added,
“Makedenge’s downfall is proof that those who torment others in the name of authority will eventually face consequences.”
Although the photo is not recent, its resurfacing has sparked significant debate among Zimbabweans. For many, it underscores the lasting consequences of one’s actions. As one user aptly put it, “History remembers, even when people forget.”
