News Mania Desk / Piyal Chatterjee / 5th November 2024
The government of Zimbabwe has prohibited police officers from using cell phones while on duty “with immediate effect.” A memo containing the prohibition instructs police personnel to forgo using their personal communication devices while on duty. When police arrive at their stations, they must turn in their cell phones to their superiors and refrain from using them outside of their break.
Although the memo gave no explanation for the restriction, it is generally assumed that this is part of an attempt to reduce police corruption.
A viral social media video revealed two traffic enforcement officers accepting bribes from public transportation vehicles, leading to their arrest in the capital, Harare, a few days prior.The two arrested officers were referred to as “bad apples who do not deserve to be serving in the police service” by police spokesperson Paul Nyathi. What seems to have been an earlier directive sent to all stations late last month is intended to be strengthened by the new mobile policy.
It said “despite numerous instructions given forbidding use of cell phones whilst on duty by members of the police service, commanders are not enforcing this”. “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,” reads the circular.
Police station officers have been instructed to enforce the restriction, and any who disobey will face intimidation. “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 note states.
Because of their low pay and unfavorable working conditions, police are seen as one of Zimbabwe’s most corrupt agencies.
