ZRP Bans Officers from Requesting Transport

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has warned officers against asking complainants to provide transport to crime scenes, as reported by iHarare, in a bid to restore public confidence and improve service delivery. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi issued the directive during a radio interview, emphasizing zero tolerance for such practices and urging the public to report violations immediately. The practice has clashed with public expectations of free police services, with many citizens reporting being stranded or forced to pay for transport out of pocket, causing widespread frustration. The directive aims to restore trust but enforcement remains weak due to resource constraints and lack of oversight mechanisms, limiting its impact. The core vulnerability is the systemic resource shortage that forces officers to rely on the public, exposing the gap between policy and operational reality in policing and accountability.