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
-
Regulators of financial institutions urged to develop policy framework for climate financing
35 mins -
Akufo-Addo: New BoG HQ to enhance reform capacity and investment climate
52 mins -
DRIP initiative improves over 80km of roads in Greater Accra, says RCC
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo to commission over 80 educational projects today
1 hour -
Police to set up Election Task Force Briefing Centre for 2024 polls
1 hour -
AFCON 2025: GFA to apologise to Ghanaians for Black Stars failure
1 hour -
Justice Yonny Kulendi urges Accra Business School graduates to lead with integrity
1 hour -
Ghanaians confident in Mahama’s leadership – Joyce Bawah
1 hour -
GFA to decide Otto Addo’s future next week Wednesday
2 hours -
We’ll decide which party to support in December polls – PNC Chairman
2 hours -
Former President Agyekum Kufuor’s paradoxical support for Dr Bawumia and matters arising
2 hours -
We are yet to benefit from Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II – Rice farmers
3 hours -
Wendy Shay supports Manhean M/A Basic School on World Children’s Day
4 hours -
Omane Boamah assures NDC faithful of close monitoring of election material deployment
4 hours -
Police administration and Election Security Task Force ‘untried and untested’ – Dr. Agordzo
4 hours