Zimbabwe police must sign papers promising complete loyalty to their boss, Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba. These papers came out before and after many people stayed home Monday instead of going to work. Our news team saw one of these documents making rounds at police stations across the country. They call it an Oath of Service. Police officers received $50 extra money without any explanation right before war veteran Blessed Geza planned his big March 31 protest.
The paper says police will perform their duties based on their best judgment and skills as members of the ZRP. They promise not to share any information they learn through their jobs unless they have permission. Most streets stayed empty Monday because citizens decided to avoid the demonstration. Geza organized this event because he opposes President Emmerson Mnangagwa's attempt to stay president until 2030, past his legal term limits.
The loyalty paper also makes police agree they can work anytime and anywhere. The Commissioner can send them to any post, department, section, or station throughout Zimbabwe to handle any job he assigns them. Political expert Pride Mkono says these loyalty papers make perfect sense as the current government realizes its time runs short. He calls this just one strategy that controlling governments use when they fear losing power.
Mkono explained that these actions happened because the Zanu PF party had become very unpopular. He predicts similar moves will happen in other security departments soon. Mkono thinks this shows clear panic inside the government. The ruling party faces internal fighting between different groups at the same time. Geza had publicly asked security forces to support regular citizens against Mnangagwa. He told them they would earn better pay and work conditions than just the small $50 bonus. Despite his requests, many police carrying batons and riot gear patrolled cities like Harare, Masvingo, and Bulawayo.
The paper says police will perform their duties based on their best judgment and skills as members of the ZRP. They promise not to share any information they learn through their jobs unless they have permission. Most streets stayed empty Monday because citizens decided to avoid the demonstration. Geza organized this event because he opposes President Emmerson Mnangagwa's attempt to stay president until 2030, past his legal term limits.
The loyalty paper also makes police agree they can work anytime and anywhere. The Commissioner can send them to any post, department, section, or station throughout Zimbabwe to handle any job he assigns them. Political expert Pride Mkono says these loyalty papers make perfect sense as the current government realizes its time runs short. He calls this just one strategy that controlling governments use when they fear losing power.
Mkono explained that these actions happened because the Zanu PF party had become very unpopular. He predicts similar moves will happen in other security departments soon. Mkono thinks this shows clear panic inside the government. The ruling party faces internal fighting between different groups at the same time. Geza had publicly asked security forces to support regular citizens against Mnangagwa. He told them they would earn better pay and work conditions than just the small $50 bonus. Despite his requests, many police carrying batons and riot gear patrolled cities like Harare, Masvingo, and Bulawayo.
