Zimbabwe bans police use of mobile phones on duty to combat corruption

The Zimbabwean government has implemented an immediate ban on the use of mobile phones by police officers while on duty, according to a memo circulated across police stations.

The directive required officers to hand over their personal mobile phones to supervisors at the start of their shifts, only accessing them during breaks.

The BBC reported that though the memo did not specify reasons for the ban, it was widely believed to be an anti-corruption measure.

This development followed the recent arrest of two traffic officers in Harare, who were caught on video allegedly taking bribes from public transport drivers—a clip that went viral on social media, sparking public outrage.

Police spokesperson, Paul Nyathi, condemned the officers involved, referring to them as “bad apples” who discredit the force.

The new mobile phone policy underscored an earlier, similar directive issued to all police stations last month, which reportedly had not been strictly enforced.

The memo stated, “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.”

Commanders have been instructed to enforce the ban strictly, with warnings that officers-in-charge would face consequences if subordinates are found violating the rule.

The police force in Zimbabwe is perceived by many as one of the country’s most corrupt institutions, often attributed to low wages and challenging working conditions.