Zimbabwe's government has banned "with immediate effect" police officers from using mobile phones while working.
The ban is contained in a memo, ordering police officers to abandon their private communication gadgets while on duty.
All officers are required to surrender their mobile phones to their supervisors once they get to their stations and only use them during their break time.
No reasons were cited for the ban in the memo but it is widely believed this could be part of efforts to curb police corruption.
It comes a few days after two traffic enforcement officers were arrested in the capital, Harare after a viral social media video exposed them taking bribes from public transport vehicles.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi described the two detained officers as "bad apples who do not deserve to be serving in the police service".
The new mobile policy seeks to reinforce what appears to have been a previous order addressed to all stations late last month.
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.
Officers in charge of police stations have been ordered to enforce the ban, with threats issued against those who do not comply.
"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 memo adds.
Police are perceived to be among the most corrupt institutions in Zimbabwe because of low salaries and poor working conditions.
Latest Stories
-
Baba Sadiq motivated me to vie for MP position – Okraku-Mantey
13 mins -
“Black Stars failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 a big blow” – Ibrahim Tanko
21 mins -
NPP’s campaign is going very well – Nana Akomea
45 mins -
Employees must file annual income tax returns – Ghana Revenue Authority
1 hour -
Does the Police law empower police to run a broadcasting service?
2 hours -
GFA dissolves Black Stars Management Committee after AFCON qualification disappointment
2 hours -
The Thomas Partey Tournament: Empowering Ghana’s Youth through football
3 hours -
Nana Akomea calls for public inquiry into ‘expired rice’ saga
3 hours -
Maintain Otto Addo despite AFCON 2025 no-show – Nana Akomea advises GFA
3 hours -
GFA issues apology to Ghanaians for Black Stars failure to qualify for AFCON 2025
3 hours -
Nautyca releases new single ‘Nalani’
3 hours -
Ablakwa slams Chief of Staff for ‘whitewashing’ ‘expired rice’ for SHS scandal
3 hours -
Regulators of financial institutions urged to develop policy framework for climate financing
4 hours -
Akufo-Addo: New BoG HQ to enhance reform capacity and investment climate
4 hours -
DRIP initiative improves over 80km of roads in Greater Accra, says RCC
5 hours