Zimbabwean Police Officers Prohibited from On-Duty Mobile Phone Use

Zimbabwe’s government has implemented a prohibition, “with immediate effect,” preventing police officers from using mobile phones during their work hours. This directive is outlined in a memorandum, instructing law enforcement personnel to relinquish their personal communication devices while on duty. All officers are mandated to hand over their mobile phones to their supervisors upon arrival at their stations, with usage permitted solely during their designated break times. While the memo did not specify reasons for this ban, it is widely understood to be part of broader initiatives to combat police corruption. This measure follows closely on the heels of the arrest of two traffic enforcement officers in the capital, Harare, just days prior. Their apprehension occurred after a widely circulated social media video depicted them accepting bribes from operators of public transport vehicles. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi characterized the two detained officers as “bad apples who do not deserve to be serving in the police service.” This updated mobile device policy aims to reinforce what appears to have been an earlier instruction issued to all police facilities late last month. That previous communication stated, “despite numerous instructions given forbidding use of cell phones whilst on duty by members of the police service, commanders are not enforcing this.” The circular explicitly states, “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.” Officers responsible for police stations have been directed to enforce this prohibition, accompanied by warnings against those who fail to comply. The memorandum further specifies, “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 is widely perceived as one of the country’s most corrupt institutions, a perception often attributed to inadequate remuneration and substandard employment circumstances.