Police in Zimbabwe banned from using phone on duty

Zimbabwe’s government has swiftly implemented a ban preventing police officers from using personal mobile phones while on duty.

According to an official memo, officers are instructed to hand over their mobile devices to supervisors upon arriving at their stations, only being permitted to use them during designated break times.

While no specific reasons were outlined in the memo, many speculate that the restriction aims to combat corruption within the police force.

The policy follows the recent arrest of two traffic officers in Harare, who were caught on camera accepting bribes from public transport drivers. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi criticized the detained officers as “bad apples who have no place in the police service.”

This latest directive reinforces a previous order issued to all stations last month, which noted that commanders had not adequately enforced rules against cell phone use on duty.

The updated instructions explicitly state that officers cannot possess mobile phones during work hours, and station commanders are responsible for enforcing this ban. Those who fail to comply face disciplinary actions.

In Zimbabwe, the police force is often seen as one of the more corrupt institutions, a perception tied to low wages and challenging work conditions.