Concerns arise towards the invisibility of Tourism Police.

Tafadzwa G Matsa.

18/08/2024

Concerns arise towards the invisibility of Tourism Police.

The Victoria Falls ZRP hosted a Crime liaising Committee meeting on the 17th of July at 1400 to discuss and update the community on the latest crime report. The meeting aimed to address ongoing concerns and enhance collaboration between the law enforcement and residents.

During the meeting, Mr. Champion Moyo from the Rainforest Association raised a significant concern regarding the visibility of Tourism Police. He highlighted that tourists are annoyed by vendors who persistently follow them advertising their products. This issue, he argued, detracts from the overall visitor experience and could potentially harm the reputation of Victoria Falls as a premier tourist destination.

Chief Inspector Moyo acknowledged the presence of the Tourism Police unit but pointed out that they are currently facing a staff shortage. “The tourism unit is there, however, there is shortage of staff but they are there,” Inspector Moyo said. He assured attendees that measures are being taken to address the issue, including ongoing consultations with stakeholders willing to assist.

Phathisani Khanye from Fawcett Security confirmed their willingness to support the Tourism Police by donating necessary equipment. “Fawcett security is offering equipment like handcuffs, button sticks and maybe vests as well for use by the unit”. However, he noted that these contributions are still in the discussion phase.

The collaboration between law enforcement and private security firms is seen as a positive step towards enhancing safety and improving the tourists experience in Victoria Falls.