ZRP Adopts Drone Technology – Citizens Ask Whether Priorities Are Right1 August 2025
ZRP Adopts Drone Technology – Citizens Ask Whether Priorities Are Right
By A Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has certified 27 officers as drone pilots in a move officials say is part of a broader strategy to modernise policing and embrace digital tools in crime prevention.
The graduation ceremony, held at the ZRP Sports Club on Wednesday, was highlighted by the force as a step forward in deploying technology-driven solutions under the Electronic Traffic Management System (ETMS).
“As the ZRP continues to embrace technology in policing, 27 police officers graduated with drone pilot certificates at ZRP Sports Club this afternoon,” the organisation said in a statement on Thursday.
However, the initiative has triggered public debate, with critics questioning whether such efforts are addressing the real and immediate challenges faced by citizens on the ground. Many pointed to the force’s continued struggles with basic service delivery, such as the lack of digital payment systems at roadblocks and the inconsistent issuance of traffic tickets.
“Digitisation… Digitise this whole entity. We are 20+ years behind other nations.
Come on people!!” commented @Lovely Ndai on social media.
Another user, Isibaya Esikhulu, added: “What technology when the department doesn’t even have ticket books at roadblocks?
The department doesn’t take ZiG and you can only pay cash USD. There isn’t even a POS machine at a single station across the country.”
The ETMS is intended to modernise traffic enforcement, reduce corruption, and enhance transparency by using automated systems to detect violations. These include the use of speed sensors, cameras, and number plate recognition to log offences and issue fines without direct police interaction.
Despite these advancements, citizens remain skeptical about the broader impact of such programs in the face of persistent operational gaps.
Concerns over accountability, consistency in enforcement, and access to payment systems continue to dominate public discussion.
While the ZRP’s move toward drone technology signals a commitment to innovation, the force is under growing pressure to ensure that basic policing infrastructure is not left behind.
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Source: ZimEye
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