*In a recent move, Zimbabwe has officially banned police officers from using personal mobile phones while on duty, amid efforts to enhance integrity within the force.*
**Zimbabwe Enforces Mobile Phone Ban for Police Officers**
**Zimbabwe Enforces Mobile Phone Ban for Police Officers**
*The government aims to strengthen anti-corruption measures within the police force.*
In a significant move to combat corruption within law enforcement, the Zimbabwean government has instituted an immediate ban on police officers using mobile phones while on duty. This directive, specified in an internal memo, mandates officers to hand over their personal devices upon arrival at their stations, permitting usage only during specified break times.
Although the memo refrains from detailing explicit reasons for this prohibition, analysts suggest it relates to recent incidents of police corruption. Just days prior to the ban, two traffic officers were arrested in Harare after a disturbing video surfaced on social media, showing them accepting bribes from public transport operators.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi condemned the arrested officers, labeling them "bad apples" undeserving of their postings. The mobile phone policy appears to reinforce a previous memorandum sent to police stations last month, which had gone largely disregarded. This earlier communication clearly stated that police officers were barred from possessing personal mobiles while on duty.
Enforcement has been placed under the purview of police station commanders, who now face potential reprimands if their officers are found non-compliant. The memo underscores the consequence of accountability: "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 police force in Zimbabwe has been under scrutiny for endemic corruption, fueled by low salaries and challenging working conditions, leading to widespread public distrust. With this new policy, the government hopes to curtail the influence of personal devices, aiming to establish a more transparent and disciplined police presence in the country.
Although the memo refrains from detailing explicit reasons for this prohibition, analysts suggest it relates to recent incidents of police corruption. Just days prior to the ban, two traffic officers were arrested in Harare after a disturbing video surfaced on social media, showing them accepting bribes from public transport operators.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi condemned the arrested officers, labeling them "bad apples" undeserving of their postings. The mobile phone policy appears to reinforce a previous memorandum sent to police stations last month, which had gone largely disregarded. This earlier communication clearly stated that police officers were barred from possessing personal mobiles while on duty.
Enforcement has been placed under the purview of police station commanders, who now face potential reprimands if their officers are found non-compliant. The memo underscores the consequence of accountability: "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 police force in Zimbabwe has been under scrutiny for endemic corruption, fueled by low salaries and challenging working conditions, leading to widespread public distrust. With this new policy, the government hopes to curtail the influence of personal devices, aiming to establish a more transparent and disciplined police presence in the country.
