Acting President speaks on police discourtesy

ACTING President Emmerson Mnangagwa has encouraged business to denominate prices in multiple currencies to help ease liquidity challenges.

He also criticised some police officers for being discourteous to foreigners, saying this creates the wrong impression to tourists and discourages investments.

Addressing captains of industry at the official opening of Golden Mile Hotel in Kwekwe yesterday, the Acting President said police officers and officials manning ports of entry and exit should be taught to respect foreigners as this will enhance ease of doing business.

He expressed concern over corrupt Government officials, particularly at border posts.

“I am happy to note that the tourism and hospitality industry was the first to appreciate that the US dollar denominated pricing model does not work (in) the regional competitive market such as ours.

“Therefore, in order to match our brothers and sisters in the region, they have to peg their prices in rand. To remain competitive, all sorts of business and sectors of the economy should adopt the rand denominated pricing.”

Regarding common courtesy, he said, “The success of the tourism sector is largely a function of related ministries such as Home Affairs, and Trans- port and Infrastructural Development. It is, therefore, important that these ministries play their part in a way that enhances business.

“Unfortunately, this has not always been the case as most of the time, visitors have been delayed at border posts with further delays taking place at roadblocks.

“They struggle to drive through the country. We need to sensitise our people at the borders on how to handle visitors. Visitors should feel comfortable and that they are wanted in Zimbabwe.

“Also, we need to sensitise police officers that when they see a foreigner or foreign (vehicle) registration number, they should think in their minds that they are seeing an investor, not somebody who has come to finish their food.

“There have also been allegations of bribery and corruption by Government officials, further eroding the image of the country in the eyes of visitors,” he said.

Acting President Mnangagwa said Government had allocated 378 hectares of land to the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Ministry to improve infrastructure and make the country globally competitive in terms of hospitality.

Golden Mile Hotel proprietor Mr Solomon Matsa said the hotel is aiming to provide competitive hospitality services.

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THE world has immense potential to adopt a progressive growth trajectory if more energy and resources are directed towards fostering peace as opposed to the current wars, acts of terrorism and other conflicts in most parts of the globe.

This was the message at the beginning of a global peace summit here yesterday.

Addressing journalists attending the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the the World Alliance of Religions Peace (WARP) Summit, international peace proponent Mr Man Hee Lee challenged world leaders to desist from acts of aggression that often degenerates into war.

“Countries should live together in harmony and love one another. People are not renewable, trust is not renewable so we need to live in peace. We all need to leave a legacy of peace,” said Mr Lee, chairman of the Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL), the hosts of the summit.

More than 1 000 leaders from international governments, the judiciary, civil society and the media are attending the summit that is expected to check progress made towards signing the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War proclaimed here in March.

Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku is leading the Zimbabwean delegation.

He was also here in March as one of the legal experts instrumental in the formulation and implementation of the declaration.

The DPCW is set to culminate in the formulation of a legally binding instrument to end wars.

“The world is at the crossroads between destruction and co-existence and its destiny is in our own hands. We must remain active to protect what is just and right to humanity.

“It is for this reason that HWPL and myself continue to act upon the vision l have received, a vision of life, peace and harmony,” said Mr Lee in the foreword to the Declaration.

Chairman Lee, who has travelled across the globe 24 times in his campaign for peace, said at least 80 percent of wars stemmed from religious conflicts, hence the inclusion of a religious thrust in his campaign.

Yesterday, he challenged the media to play a central role in promoting peace.

“The media should publicise and promote peace. You should always aim to highlight peace and help bring wars to an end. Your role in this instance is very crucial. You are responsible for disseminating information,” he said.

The HWPL has branches in South Africa, Malawi, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Morroco and Zimbabwe, among other African countries.

Its wings, the International Women’s Peace Group and the International Peace Youth Group, are also active in these and many other countries.

It is also setting up peace academies to educate the youths to become messengers of peace.

More than 100 0000 people from across the globe are today expected to attend a peace festival organised to commemorate the organisation’s peace initiatives.