Zimbabwe’s police force is facing an alarming housing crisis that has forced many officers to partition single rooms with curtains just to accommodate multiple families. The situation was revealed by Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe during a pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo, where he described the conditions as unfit for those responsible for maintaining national security.

 

 

 

Kazembe painted a bleak picture of overcrowded police quarters, stressing that the living conditions have deteriorated to a point where privacy and dignity have all but disappeared. He said it was unacceptable that officers charged with protecting citizens are surviving under such strained circumstances, improvising living spaces with curtains because of the shortage of proper housing.

 

 

 

He made an emotional appeal to lawmakers to urgently allocate more funding, arguing that adequate accommodation is essential not just for comfort but for morale, discipline, and professionalism within the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Better housing, he said, is a foundational part of strengthening the institution and ensuring officers can perform their duties effectively.

 

 

 

The minister insisted that the country cannot continue ignoring the welfare of its security officers, calling for significant investment in modern housing units that can address the crisis long-term rather than applying short-term fixes. His remarks, shared publicly by the Parliament of Zimbabwe on its official X account, have intensified discussions about how the government prioritises and supports its security services.