Zimbabwe bans police from using phones during working hours

This was contained in a memo from the Zimbabwe Republic Police sent to all stations in Masvingo Central.

“With immediate effect, no member is allowed to be in possession of a cell phone whilst on duty,” parts of the memo were quoted.

All cell phones will be taken from police officers and locked in a safe or cabinet and can only be released for use during break and lunch times.

Officers in charge of police stations are mandated to enforce the order and implement the necessary consequences against non-compliant officers.

Superiors of these police stations will also be held responsible if any member of their stations defies the directive.

“All stations standard operation procedures should contain a clause governing the use of cell phones whilst on duty and members should acknowledge having read and understood the SOPs,” the memo said.

While the reason for the order was not stated, it is believed to be part of anti-corruption efforts within the service.

The ban comes after two traffic enforcement officers were recently arrested in Harare.

Local reports say the police officers were detained after a viral social media video showed them taking bribes from public transport vehicles.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi described the officers as “bad apples who do not deserve to be serving in the police service".

The mobile phone policy seeks to reinforce earlier orders for members to abandon their private communication gadgets while on duty.

“Despite numerous instructions given forbidding the use of cell phones whilst on duty by members of the Police Service,” the memo said, commanders are not enforcing this.