Zimbabwe Orders Immediate Ban on Police Mobile Phone Use to Fight Corruption
Zimbabwe’s government has enacted a new policy prohibiting police officers from using mobile phones while on duty, effective immediately. A recent memo directed that all officers surrender their phones to supervisors upon arriving at their stations, permitting use only during break times.
Though the memo did not specify reasons for the ban, it’s widely speculated to be part of broader efforts to curb police corruption. This decision follows the arrest of two traffic officers in Harare, who were caught on video accepting bribes from public transport drivers—an incident that quickly gained attention on social media.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi called out the detained officers as “bad apples who do not deserve to be serving in the police service,” underscoring the government’s stance on rooting out corrupt practices within the force.
The policy reaffirms previous directives issued last month, which ordered all police stations to restrict phone usage during duty hours. However, it appears enforcement had been lax, prompting authorities to renew their efforts. The circular reads, “No member is allowed to be in possession of a cell phone whilst on duty. Cell phones should only be used during break and lunch times.”
Station commanders have been instructed to implement the ban strictly, with clear consequences for non-compliance. “Once a member is found with a cell phone whilst on duty, the officer in-charge of the said member will be put to task,” the memo warns.
The Zimbabwean police force is often viewed as one of the country’s most corrupt institutions, a situation fueled by low pay and poor working conditions.
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Zimbabwe Orders Immediate Ban on Police Mobile Phone Use to Fight Corruption
