Zimbabwe Bans Police Officers from Using Mobile Phones While on Duty

Zimbabwe’s government has announced a strict new ban, effective immediately, prohibiting police officers from using mobile phones while on duty. The directive, detailed in a recent memo, instructs officers to hand over their personal communication devices to their supervisors upon arrival at their stations, allowing use only during designated break times.

While the memo does not explicitly state the reasons for this ban, it is widely speculated that it aims to curb police corruption. This comes shortly after two traffic enforcement officers in Harare were arrested when a viral social media video showed them taking bribes from public transport drivers. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi condemned the two officers, labeling them as “bad apples who do not deserve to be serving in the police service.”

The new policy also seeks to strengthen previous orders, issued last month, that had been largely ignored. “Despite numerous instructions given forbidding use of cell phones whilst on duty by members of the police service, commanders are not enforcing this,” the memo states.

To ensure compliance, officers in charge of police stations have been directed to enforce the ban, with accountability measures in place for supervisors. “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 circular warns.

Police officers in Zimbabwe have long been perceived as corrupt, a reputation often attributed to low salaries and difficult working conditions. The government hopes this policy will address some of the issues tied to misconduct.