Chronicle Editor
Simbarashe Murima , [email protected]
The festive season has come to an end for locals and diasporans visiting friends and relatives in Zimbabwe.
Our country is one of the safest destinations in Southern Africa and Africa as a whole.
Tourism-related crimes in the country are commendably very low, which makes it the best holiday destination for pacifists, placid and adventure loving visitors.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is the law enforcing and preserving organ in the country, which is doing a great job in protecting Zimbabwean citizens.
But for some guests, facing the uniformed officers and driving a foreign plated vehicle in the country can be a traumatic experience due to some unprofessional and greedy law enforcers.
With a heightened sense of vulnerability induced by some of these rogue cops, some tourists become scared to continue their journey driving and some opt to use public transport to avoid harassment and extortion.
For example, I recently witnessed unfair treatment of a resident from Botswana by officers from Tshabalala Police Station, Bulawayo, for driving on the opposite lane.
Indeed, it was an offence but their approach and policing was unprofessional and the situation was poorly handled.
The officers did not even caution or probe the reason why the offender drove on the wrong lane but was instantly ordered to drive to the station for reprimand and to pay a fine.
Some of the traffic signs in high density areas are unavailable or difficult to see, and to visitors, the roads can be confusing to drive on.
I acknowledge that some motorists can be problematic on the roads, some drive without licences, drive without the required accessories such as reflectors, fire extinguishers and so on but a proficient and harmonious approach by the cops is vital.
All of these are punishable offences but these can be cautionable offences which should not result to extortion and intimidation by some of these greedy officers.
The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry is working assiduously to promote Zimbabwe as a peaceful destination but such incidents caused by some of these law enforcers can potentially derail the progress.
Rather, the ZRP law enforcers should be the custodians of tourism in our country.
The reputational damage to Zimbabwe as a tourism destination as a result of these incidences are detrimental to tourism, as the affected tourist may not return as they become scared of the law enforcers in the country, especially traffic officers.
I would recommend that the Zimbabwe Republic Police relevant authorities extend a strong tourism unit that oversees, protects and supports travellers to all the towns and cities in the country and not only Victoria Falls and other main destinations.
At every roadblock, there should be a well-educated and trained tourism police officer who deals with foreign plated vehicles and their passengers so that they can feel safe, welcomed and loved.
In addition, I submit that effectuate refresher-courses on professionalism, customer care, law and moral codes to members of the force to equip them and extend their professionalism, increasing efficiency, promoting excellence and help dissipate fear among holidaymakers and citizens.
The ZRP should realise the direct and indirect role they play in the promotion and sustenance of tourism in the country.
Hereafter, it is astute that they create an amicable and convivial atmosphere among visitors in Zimbabwe, while combating felonies concomitantly.
Online Reporter