All Constitution Sections

Section 219: Police Service and its functions

Constitution of Zimbabwe

(1) There is a Police Service which is responsible for—

    (a) detecting, investigating and preventing crime;

    (b) preserving the internal security of Zimbabwe;

    (c) protecting and securing the lives and property of the people;

    (d) maintaining law and order; and

    (e) upholding this Constitution and enforcing the law without fear or favour.

(2) The Police Service must exercise its functions in co-operation with—

    (a) any intelligence service that may be established by law;

    (b) any body that may be established by law for the purpose of detecting, investigating or

preventing particular classes of offences; and

    (c) regional and international bodies formed to combat crime.

(3) The Police Service must be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional and subordinate to the civilian authority as established by this Constitution.

(4) An Act of Parliament must provide for the organisation, structure, management, regulation, discipline and promotion and demotion of officers and other members and, subject to section 223, the conditions of service of members of the Police Service.

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AI Insights

Insight: Police Service in Zimbabwe's Constitutional Framework

This section establishes the Police Service as an institution bound by constitutional principles rather than political interests. It emphasizes three key aspects:

  • The Police Service must maintain independence while collaborating with other security agencies
  • It explicitly requires civilian oversight of police functions, preventing military control
  • The requirement to be "non-partisan" and "professional" creates constitutional safeguards against police being used as a political tool

This framework aims to balance effective law enforcement with democratic accountability, placing constitutional values above political interests.