Zimbabwe’s government has “with immediate effect” banned police officers from using mobile phones while on duty.

The ban is contained in a memo, which orders police officers to abandon their private communication devices while on duty.

All officers are required to surrender their cell phones to their supervisors once they arrive at their stations and use them only during breaks.

No reasons were given for the ban in the memo, but it is believed to be part of efforts to reduce police corruption.

It comes days after two police officers were arrested in the capital, Harare, after a viral video on social media exposed them taking bribes from public transport vehicles.

Police spokesman Paul Nyathi described the two detained officers as “bad apples who do not deserve to serve in the police service”.

The new mobile phone policy seeks to reinforce what appears to have been an earlier order to all stations late last month.

It says “despite numerous instructions prohibiting the use of mobile phones on duty by members of the police service, commanders are not enforcing it”.

“No member is allowed to have a cell phone while on duty. Mobile phones should be used only during break and lunch time,” the circular said.

Officers in charge of police stations have been ordered to enforce the ban, with threats against those who do not comply.

“Once a member is found with a cell phone while on duty, the officer in charge of that member will be made to task,” the note added.

The police are perceived to be among the most corrupt institutions in Zimbabwe due to low wages and poor working conditions.

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