Patterns, Costs, and Implications of Police Abuse to Citizens’ Rights in the Republic of Zimbabwe

Ishmael Mugari and Emeka E. Obioha
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Ishmael Mugari: Department of Safety and Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Emeka E. Obioha: Department of Social Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5099, South Africa

Social Sciences, 2018, vol. 7, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: The Police play a key role in maintaining law and order and safeguarding the security of the nation and its citizens. To enable them to discharge their constitutional mandate, they are entrusted with powers such as the power to arrest, detain, search, and to use force. However, police officers have often abused these powers with serious consequences on the image and operations of the organisation. The media is often inundated with news on unlawful arrests, arbitrary search and seizure, unlawful methods of investigations, and the excessive use of force. It is without a doubt that these incidences of abuse of powers and functions by the police come at a price. This study, a survey conducted with 91 respondents (83 members of public and 8 police officers) in 2 policing districts in Zimbabwe reveals wanton violation of human rights, police brutality, and the abuse of power which have resulted in both social and economic costs to the Police service and government of Zimbabwe through Civil suits against the police. Among other issues, training and decisiveness in dealing with the implicated police officers were viewed as the most effective ways for dealing with police abuse of power.

Keywords: human right; power; police; community; abuse; Zimbabwe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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