The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has commenced the nationwide deployment of body-worn cameras, a development hailed as a major milestone in the modernisation of law-enforcement operations and a significant step towards promoting transparency, accountability and professionalism within the security sector.
The rollout, which has been anticipated for several years, is part of a broader police reform and digitalisation agenda aimed at improving the quality of policing, reducing disputes during police-citizen encounters, and strengthening public confidence in the country’s law-enforcement institutions. Body-worn cameras are compact audio-visual recording devices designed to capture real-time interactions between police officers and members of the public — including motorists, suspects, victims and witnesses. Globally, their use has been associated with reductions in misconduct allegations, fewer confrontations and increased clarity in disputed incidents.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the launch of the programme in comments published by B-Metro. He said cameras had already been distributed to all provinces, with provincial commanders now responsible for overseeing how the devices are allocated and used within their jurisdictions.
“Yes, the process has started. We have distributed the cameras to all the provinces, and it’s the prerogative of the Officer Commanding the province on how those cameras will be distributed,” Comm Nyathi said.
He emphasised that the ZRP was approaching the initiative in a phased and controlled manner to ensure effective implementation. Training is already underway, but officers across different units will continue receiving instruction as the rollout progresses.
Zimbabwe Police Deploy Body Cameras Countrywide to Improve Accountability
“I must emphasise that training is ongoing. There is no specific group of officers designated to use these cameras, so the process of training is still ongoing,” he added.
The introduction of body-worn cameras marks a major shift in policing culture, particularly in a country where interactions between the public and the police have frequently been marred by complaints of harassment, corruption and excessive force. Civil society organisations and human-rights advocates have long argued that equipping officers with cameras would provide an objective record of incidents, reduce confrontation, and protect both the public and law-enforcement personnel.
The ZRP’s adoption of the technology follows similar moves by police forces across Africa, including in South Africa, Namibia and Kenya, where body-worn cameras have been credited with improving officer conduct and reducing the number of complaints lodged by citizens. In some jurisdictions, the devices have also been used to strengthen internal disciplinary processes and improve evidence collection during criminal investigations.
In Zimbabwe, the deployment has the potential to transform several aspects of policing. For traffic enforcement, which has historically attracted widespread criticism from motorists, cameras could provide an impartial record of interactions at roadblocks. This could help reduce disputes over alleged offences and strengthen accountability on both sides. For general patrol officers, cameras may improve the documentation of arrests, searches and crowd-control operations.
The ZRP has not yet disclosed the exact number of devices made available in the first phase, nor the specific timelines for full national coverage. However, sources within the police have hinted that the initiative will begin with high-visibility units operating in urban centres, particularly those handling traffic and public-order management, before extending to rural districts and specialised units.
Policing experts note that the effectiveness of the programme will depend heavily on how the cameras are used, how footage is stored and accessed, and whether strong internal safeguards are implemented to prevent tampering or selective recording. Proper data-management protocols — including secure storage, access restrictions and clear guidelines on when recording must be activated — will be essential to ensuring public trust in the system.
Comm Nyathi indicated that policy guidelines governing the use of the devices are being finalised and would be communicated once all officers have undergone the required training. He reiterated that the ZRP is committed to professionalising its operations and embracing technologies that align with international standards.
“As the police, we are continually working towards improving service delivery and strengthening relations with the public,” he said. “These cameras will assist in ensuring transparency and accountability during our interactions.”
Members of the public have reacted with cautious optimism, with many expressing hope that the cameras will curb misconduct and reduce opportunities for corruption. Others noted that the success of the programme will depend on consistent use of the devices, full disclosure of footage in disputed cases, and the willingness of the police leadership to address wrongdoing captured on camera.
The coming months will be critical in determining how effectively the ZRP integrates body-worn cameras into its operations. As the rollout continues, all eyes will be on how the technology reshapes police-citizen interactions — and whether it ultimately contributes to a more transparent and professional culture within the country’s law-enforcement ranks.
Source- iharare
