Tinotenda Hove – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has announced a crackdown on the alleged abuse of food rations by senior officers, following mounting complaints from junior ranks that supplies meant for them are being diverted or sold for personal gain.

Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba made the announcement during a high-level meeting with senior police officials in Lupane, Matabeleland North, where he emphasized the urgent need for accountability and discipline within the force.

“There have been serious concerns about how rations are being distributed,” Mutamba said. “Rations are to be well distributed. You are going to be audited. Let us all be disciplined—there is a lot of indiscipline among officers. I expect a change in all aspects.”

The new directive will see all police rations subjected to strict audits at every station in a move aimed at curbing internal corruption and restoring integrity within the force.

Mutamba also addressed growing concerns about lax professionalism and the overuse of personal cellphones by officers on duty. “Let us use radios. All police stations must conduct parades, and officers-in-charge should inspect for cleanliness, identity cards, and points,” he said. “We are bringing back training. We want efficiency, and training shall be the order of the day.”

According to sources who attended the meeting, a new wave of training programs will soon be rolled out. Inspectors and chief inspectors will undergo 42 days of retraining, while non-commissioned officers will be subjected to 84 days of rigorous instruction.

The ZRP has faced increasing public scrutiny over corruption, indiscipline, and poor service delivery. This latest move signals what appears to be a renewed internal push to address some of these longstanding issues—though critics remain skeptical about enforcement and follow-through.