Colletta Dube
Rutendo Nyeve [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating corruption through a raft of measures that include mandatory dismissal of officers implicated in corrupt activities, strengthened asset forfeiture mechanisms, specialised anti-corruption units and the deployment of body-worn cameras.
The measures were outlined by Commissioner-General of Police Stephen Mutamba in a speech read on his behalf by Commissioner Steven Kazingizi, Officer Commanding Police Matabeleland North Province, during the 2026 Africa Anti-Corruption Day commemorations held in Victoria Falls on Saturday.
Addressing delegates, Commissioner Kazingizi said fighting corruption required a collective effort from all sectors of society, describing corruption as a two-way transaction that could only be defeated through the active participation of citizens.
“On our part as ZRP, we have taken decisive steps to ensure that crime is stripped of its rewards,” said Commissioner Kazingizi.
“Those who enrich themselves through corruption and other criminal enterprises will face the full force of the law, and every ill-gotten asset will be identified, recovered and returned to its rightful purpose.”
He said the Police Anti-Corruption Unit (PACU), a specialised division responsible for investigating economic crimes in both the public and private sectors, is now fully operational.
Commissioner Kazingizi said the Police Internal Investigations Section had also been strengthened to intensify investigations into corruption within the police service.
He warned that officers found guilty of corruption would face the ultimate disciplinary sanction.
“Officers implicated in corrupt practices are subjected to thorough investigations, and where wrongdoing is established, dismissal from the Police Service is mandatory,” he said.
To improve accountability and transparency, Commissioner Kazingizi said all officers on duty are now required to wear clearly visible name tags to enable members of the public to identify them and report any misconduct.
He added that body-worn cameras have also been introduced, particularly for officers deployed in traffic enforcement, to provide an objective record of interactions between police officers and members of the public.
The ZRP is also preparing to introduce an Electronic Traffic Management System aimed at reducing direct cash handling and physical interactions that can create opportunities for bribery.
Commissioner Kazingizi said the fight against corruption required close collaboration among institutions and reaffirmed the ZRP’s working relationship with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Judicial Service Commission.
“A river that forgets its tributaries dries up,” he said, urging institutions to continue working together to combat corruption.
He also called on members of the public to report corruption through police complaints desks, hotlines and social media platforms, assuring them that all credible reports would be investigated.
Online Reporter