COMMISSIONER-GENERAL of Police Stephen Mutamba is absolutely right to draw a firm line in the sand against police officers who abuse drugs and substances while serving in the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
His warning that officers whose drug addiction affects their ability to perform their duties could be dismissed from the force is not excessive. It is necessary, overdue and in the public interest.
Addressing police officers at the Commissioner-General of Police 2026 Sports Gala in Harare, Mutamba revealed that drug and substance abuse has found its way into the police ranks, with some officers becoming so addicted that they are no longer able to perform their duties effectively.
He made it clear that such behaviour cannot be tolerated in a law-enforcement organisation.
This is a serious matter.
Police officers are entrusted with firearms, sensitive information, evidence and enormous powers over ordinary citizens. They are expected to make sound decisions under pressure, respond to emergencies and enforce the law impartially.
An officer impaired by drugs is therefore not simply an employee struggling with a personal problem.
If that addiction compromises his or her ability to perform police duties, it becomes a public safety issue.
How can citizens be expected to trust an officer who is supposed to arrest drug dealers when that same officer is abusing drugs?
How can the police successfully dismantle drug networks if some of their own members are users or are compromised by addiction?
These are uncomfortable questions, but they must be confronted.
Mutamba’s stance also sends an important message to drug dealers and peddlers: the police service cannot be allowed to become a weak link in the national fight against substance abuse.
The force has a duty to hunt down those poisoning communities, and it must ensure that its own house is in order. However, firmness must go hand in hand with fairness.
Not every officer battling addiction should automatically be treated as a criminal or discarded without due process. Where an officer voluntarily seeks help, rehabilitation and counselling should be available.
Addiction can be destructive, and rehabilitation can save lives and careers.
But there must be a clear distinction between an officer who acknowledges a problem and seeks assistance and one who repeatedly reports for duty impaired, handles weapons irresponsibly, compromises investigations or continues abusing drugs despite warnings and intervention.
The latter cannot be permitted to remain in a position where one bad decision could cost an innocent person their life.
The police service cannot preach discipline to society while tolerating indiscipline within its own ranks.
Mutamba’s emphasis on sport and healthy lifestyles is therefore welcome.
Physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and mental resilience are essential qualities for police officers, and sport can provide a constructive outlet for stress and promote healthier lifestyles.
But sporting activities alone will not solve the problem.
The force needs effective counselling, regular wellness programmes, confidential rehabilitation services and appropriate disciplinary mechanisms.
Most importantly, there must be no sacred cows.
