PLAYERS in the tourism industry have approached Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene in reducing the “too many” police roadblocks on the country’s major highways, saying they stifle free movement of local and foreign tourists.
Source: ‘Too many police roadblocks threatening tourism’ – NewsDay Zimbabwe November 25, 2016
BY JAMES MUONWA
Speaking on the sidelines of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) congress, which ends in Kariba today, HAZ president, George Manyumwa said his organisation was engaging relevant stakeholders to have the number of roadblocks reduced.
“There are too many roadblocks on our country’s roads and this is particularly not good for the hospitality and tourism industry,” he said.
“Generally, roadblocks hurt economic activity. Imagine, from Harare to Kariba it is not surprising to encounter 20 roadblocks.
“HAZ is negotiating with the police and we have also petitioned Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is seized with the issue of numerous roadblocks as well as inefficiencies at ports of entry (border posts),” Manyumwa, who is also Zimbabwe Council of Tourism vice-president, said.
Police have previously defended their heavy presence on the highways, saying this was meant to curb road carnage.
Manyumwa also said HAZ was lobbying for a special dispensation for the hospitality and tourism industry to have a reduction of value-added tax from the current 15% to 5%.
He said Statutory Instrument 64, which restricts the importation of certain classes of goods, should be an enabler for hospitality and tourism industry growth.
Manyumwa reiterated the need for a relaxation of statutory tax obligations that industry players had to pay to various government and quasi-governmental institutions.
“There is need to walk the talk regarding the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe,” the HAZ president said.
The congress, held under the theme Economic Recovery through Tourism and Hospitality, saw Manyumwa retained as HAZ president, while Innocent Manyere and Naume Size were re-elected first and second vice-president, respectively.
COMMENTS
The roadblocks are zpf’s major source of corrupt income. Of course they’re not going to reduce them.
Duh! ZRP knows their roadblocks are a problem and they don’t care
Police road must by reduced just emagin from beitbrigde to Balawayo 17 road blocks 336km every 19 km its not good for especiouly if you are from South Africa you like a criminal they dont want to see GP number plats
Zimbabwe has tourists?
I hope when things turn around we can find some REAL police and put all these thieves and torturers in prison.!!
I beg to differ. The opposition never talk of this corrupt practice by police. GNU did nothing to correct issue of police corruption. Ministers probably don’t travel our roads or don’t have relatives who have the courage to tell them the truth. Roadblocks don’t reduce carnage because police do nothing but collect money from motorists. all defective vehicles pass roadblocks if they pay officers, full-stop. so whether there is change of govt or not corruption will rage on. maybe even worse. look at opposition controlled municipal councils….corrupt! That is why its called a cancer. it is about our morals as a people….all have disappeared. most people are just corrupt in the offices, companies…etc. Only God will help. our part is to use our education system, churches and legal system to try n eradicate this evil. But the question is maybe our ministers are so corrupt that they don’t have the willingness to initiate any such efforts