Source: ‘Zim roadblocks scare tourists’ – DailyNews Live Maxwell Sibanda • 27 April 2016
HARARE – Police roadblocks in Zimbabwe are scaring away tourists as they feel their presence is an indication that there is something wrong in the country, a top tourism official has revealed.
Zimbabwe Council for Tourism (ZCT) executive director Paul Matamisa told the Daily News, tourists and even ordinary motorists are now in the habit of counting police roadblocks between towns .
“There are too many police roadblocks on our roads and tourists feel it is not safe to be here as the police presence scares them because in their countries police details are usually visible when there is an emergency.
“We have constantly raised the issue of roadblocks because it is not doing us any favour — it is not working at all and is sending the wrong vibes. Most times the fines are overcharged and illegal.
“We are not saying roadblocks should be abandoned altogether, no, they should not disappear but we are saying they should not be so overwhelming.”
COMMENTS
They are an irritating nuisance and threat to everyone because, even if your vehicle is 100% roadworthy, there is no-one who can comply with the requirements of ZINARA’s silly SI 129/2015, and this has been admitted to me personally by senior traffic officials, when asked to prove compliance with their own vehicles.
The worst part of it is that, with 100% disapproval by the public, the courts, politicians, ZLHR etc etc., they still remain on the roads through the stubborn, mindless stupidity of the people supposedly controlling this country.
The purpose of the road blocks is twofold. To show everybody who has the power round here and to produce cash which is then never accounted for. The fact that tourists or anybody else might be put off is not a consideration for the kind gentlemen who run things.
TERRORIST STATES ALWAYS WANT TO SHOW WHO IS IN CHARGE! WE ARE NO EXCEPTION!
they need the money to pay the useless ghost workers and civil servants
simply its another easy way to get CASH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They tried to fine my brother for having a dirty pickup even though he is a farmer and just come off a muddy road, he just drove away. Ridiculous
Tell the tourists they are coming to a Police State. They are road blocks should attract the tourists!
The once-respected police have been made into uniformed street kids. In the towns the roadblocks are easy to avoid but they will put off visitors on the main roads. But who needs tourism? Country’s in great shape, right.
As a government we know that in a democracy the voice of the people should be the command for government operations. When we say the people shall govern, we mean it. Now that you have spoken through your actions of being criminals, all of you who own and drive cars, we have responded as a democratic government by providing you with roadblocks, you see we listen. You can not run a democratic state without listening to the voice of the people otherwise we become a dictatorship. After all we were democratically elected by the same people we are protecting through road blocks. Secondly we as government have realised that we do not need tourists, especial those who come from countries who want regime change of a democratically elected government. we do have enough money as a country that’s why we can have $15 billion disappearing and still manage to financial function at full output levels. For evidence just have a look at our financial institutions especial the services that they are offering to the public. We are the bread basket of Africa. look at how rich our cabinet ministers are, look at how sacrificial our youth and our war veterans are. We are even exporting human resources to all parts of the world. So expect more roadblocks and democratic decisions based on the voice of the people. I have spoken
I have just seen a posting on a Zambian Facebook page complaining about the road blocks that cost the driver $60 between Bulawayo and the border. One big spender that will never return.
I believe these road blocks form part of Zim’s debt reduction strategy that has so much impressed the EU ambassador, Mr van Damme. With the amount of theft of citizens’money by Zimra, Zinara, Zimwa etc. etc., he sees us as a reliable borrower, and is enthusiastically recommending the release of IMF funds to keep Zanu PF afloat.
Well done Mr Van Damme! You are on course for a place at Heroes’Acre.
Hey Joe….Is van Damme a horrible whitey with big pockets by any chance ? The begging bowl is getting bigger and has holes in it !