Kazembe exposes severe housing crisis

A severe accommodation crisis within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has left many officers and their families living in divided single rooms separated by curtains, exposing a grim reality of poor living standards in the country's law enforcement ranks.

The revelation was made by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe during a pre-budget seminar held in Bulawayo last week. The minister described the situation as "deplorable" and urged the government to prioritise police welfare in the upcoming national budget.

Kazembe said the living conditions endured by police officers — who are tasked with maintaining law and order — were unacceptable and undignified.

"The welfare of police officers must be prioritised. It is deplorable that our officers, who serve and protect the nation, are living in conditions where they are sharing accommodation and dividing rooms with curtains. This is not befitting of their status," Kazembe said.

He explained that the curtain partitions, used to separate spaces for different families, reflected an extreme shortage of proper housing, stripping officers of privacy, comfort, and dignity.

Kazembe appealed for urgent budgetary intervention to build adequate and modern accommodation facilities for police officers across the country.

"Decent living conditions are key to enhancing morale, discipline, and professionalism within the force. We must change the narrative and restore the dignity of our officers through increased budgetary support for the construction of adequate and modern housing units," he added.

The minister warned that without addressing the welfare crisis, the police service risked low morale and declining professionalism, undermining the country's broader goals of maintaining peace, security, and effective law enforcement.

His remarks come amid growing concern about poor working and living conditions in many state institutions, with public service unions frequently calling for better pay, housing, and working environments for government employees.