Members of Zimbabwe’s law enforcement agency (ZRP) might land in trouble after photos and videos containing female police officers went viral on social media.
A leaked ZRP internal memorandum revealed how the police force bosses are concerned about the photos and videos also containing police officers denigrating the Government, uttering political statements, and with some female officers posting sexually seductive photos and videos in full Zimbabwe Republic Police uniform.
The memorandum also says such conduct is tarnishing the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s image and is contrary to the dictates of the disciplinary code as espoused in the Police Act
“Commanders are implored to immediately identify such members and take decisive action which includes disciplinary trials and boards of inquiry (suitability),” reads the memorandum.
“The current trending video on the social media where two members are seen openly dressed in Police uniform, holding a swipe card, while displaying local currency notes and lip-syncing to the lyrics of the song Munyu Hauchavavi (Salt) by Blessing Shumba, is a case in point.”
The police force has faced criticism following different videos posted on social media platforms despite ZRP retraining its members to conduct their duties professionally under a rebranding excise.
The Attorney General’s office has been working on drafting the bill that allows the rebranding to Zimbabwe Police Service from the Zimbabwe Republic Police after a recommendation from the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry following the 2018 post-election violence.
The Motlanthe Commission recommended the police force be further trained in order to be professional and non-partisan in the interest of national cohesion and the protection of all citizens.
The Police Act amendment which enables rebranding became effective in February 2019.
Besides seductive images, other videos that caused a storm include those of passengers dropping off through the windows of a bus that had allegedly been tear smoked by the police. This happened twice.
The enforcement authority had to also defend itself after a video alleging that the police had hit a baby child to death surfaced on social media.
