Zambian police officers have been banned from marrying foreigners over national security fears.
In the memo, dated February 11, Police Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja informed officers that the ban was effective immediately.
"The Police High Command has with immediate effect directed that no police officer should marry a foreigner," the memo read.
The Inspector General also stipulated that any officers already married to a foreigner were to disclose this information within a week and that failure to do so would "attract disciplinary action".
When quizzed as to the reasoning behind the ban, police spokeswoman Esther Katongo told the BBC that the security of the country was at stake.
"Issues of security are delicate. If not careful, spouses can be spies and can sell the security of the country," she said.
"When you get married, they say that you are one. You know what marriage is - you share secrets. And you can tell officers 'do not disclose' but you have no control. You won't be in their homes to always check on them.
"The security of the nation is what is paramount."
Ms Katongo said that those officers who had married foreigners would be give "some rules they should follow".
