Zimbabwe Enforces Mobile Phone Ban for Police Officers on Duty

In a bid to combat corruption and improve policing standards, Zimbabwe's government has enacted an immediate ban on the use of mobile phones by police officers during their duties.

The policy, outlined in a recent internal memo, mandates that officers surrender their personal devices upon arrival at their stations, allowing them to only use their phones during designated break times. No specific reasons were provided in the memo; however, the timing of the announcement follows the arrest of two traffic officers caught on video accepting bribes in Harare, implying a potential link between the ban and efforts to reduce corrupt practices within the force.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi condemned the arrested officers as "bad apples" undermining the integrity of the police service. This new directive aims to reinforce an earlier order prohibiting phone usage while on duty, which had been largely ignored by station commanders. The circular explicitly states, "No member is allowed to be in possession of a cell phone whilst on duty," and emphasizes that mobile phones may only be used during lunch and break periods.

Station commanders have been instructed to enforce compliance rigorously, with stern warnings against failure to do so. The memo states, “Once a member is found with a cell phone whilst on duty, the officer in charge of said member will be put to task."

Widespread perceptions of corruption within the police force stem from factors such as inadequate pay and challenging working conditions, contributing to ethical lapses. The ban reflects the government's ongoing struggle to restore public trust and accountability in Zimbabwe's policing system.