Achieving these goals, however, has been severely undermined in a number of countries which have flagrantly violated the internationally recognized requirement of police to conduct their duties in an impartial manner. Biased policing in relation to minority and vulnerable communities and the political opposition has been a problem in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Tanzania.
In Zimbabwe, the undermining of professional and impartial policing has taken an extreme form in the past two years. Police have been directly involved in the torture, ill-treatment, and arbitrary arrest of members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). They have also been complicit in nationally widespread acts of violence, arson and rape committed by state-sponsored militia against supporters of the MDC.
Redressing this situation remains a serious challenge to the authority and integrity of SARPCCO and the institutions of SADC itself.
Elsewhere in the region, growing public concern over violent crime has pushed governments and police authorities to respond "by all means necessary" to combat crime, particularly where police officers themselves have become victims of armed criminals.
In Zimbabwe, the undermining of professional and impartial policing has taken an extreme form in the past two years. Police have been directly involved in the torture, ill-treatment, and arbitrary arrest of members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). They have also been complicit in nationally widespread acts of violence, arson and rape committed by state-sponsored militia against supporters of the MDC.
Redressing this situation remains a serious challenge to the authority and integrity of SARPCCO and the institutions of SADC itself.
Elsewhere in the region, growing public concern over violent crime has pushed governments and police authorities to respond "by all means necessary" to combat crime, particularly where police officers themselves have become victims of armed criminals.