Kazembe Criticizes Police Corruption and Foreign Travel Priorities

Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe has strongly condemned corruption within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and questioned the frequent foreign trips undertaken by its senior officers.

During an annual strategic planning workshop held in Kwekwe last week, Kazembe voiced concerns about systemic issues, including the absence of proper police training programs and declining discipline among officers.

Kazembe highlighted the alarming normalization of bribery within the ZRP, describing the practice as a significant contributor to lawlessness on Zimbabwe’s roads and a growing danger to public safety.

He expressed dismay over the lack of training in the police force, attributing the indiscipline to inadequate preparedness and emphasizing the importance of restoring rigorous training protocols.

In his five years as Home Affairs Minister, Kazembe noted he had yet to witness a single pass-out parade by the ZRP, contrasting this with the frequent parades held by prisons and defense forces.

Kazembe also criticized the imbalance in the ZRP’s resource allocation, pointing out that junior officers often lack basic uniforms while senior officers embark on unnecessary foreign trips.

“Where are your priorities?” Kazembe questioned, noting the paradox of budgetary constraints being cited for essential items while approvals for international travel were regularly sought.

The minister vowed to withhold Cabinet Authority for any international travel this year, signaling a firm stance against mismanagement and misplaced priorities within the police leadership.

Kazembe urged the ZRP to redirect resources toward pressing needs, such as improving discipline, acquiring uniforms, and reinstating essential training programs to restore public confidence in the force.

The issue of corruption within Zimbabwe’s police force has long been a topic of public debate, with bribery and inefficiency often cited as major concerns by citizens and stakeholders alike.

Kazembe’s remarks are expected to intensify scrutiny on the ZRP, as his comments align with broader efforts to reform public institutions and address governance challenges in Zimbabwe.

The Zim Bulletin